The Importance of Hydration for Athletic Performance

Drinking enough water every day is not only important to our overall health, but our athletic performance as well. Staying hydrated can improve our physical performance and potentially reduce the risk of injuries.

Benefits of drinking water

There are many benefits of drinking enough water every day. Drinking water replenishes the fluids that are lost during exercise. Restoring these fluids helps maintain normal muscle function and prevent a decrease in physical performance. Additionally, staying hydrated can help reduce the risk of heat stress, especially if you’re training outdoors in hot temperatures.

Many studies have shown that hydration benefits cognitive function by improving energy and focus. When dehydrated, we are more likely to feel sleepy and have trouble concentrating. Your blood volume is decreased, which means that the heart has to work harder to pump the blood to all of the parts of your body that need its vital oxygen and nutrients. Drinking enough water throughout the day and your training keeps you alert and maintaining healthy brain function.

Hydration can even have an impact on your joint health. It’s estimated that 70 – 80% of your joint cartilage is made up of water. Drinking water can help lubricate the cartilage which cushions your joints. It also can reduce inflammation around your joints.

Staying hydrated is key to post-workout recovery. As we know, exercise causes muscles to become stronger by breaking them down, and then rebuilding them through muscle protein synthesis. This process requires the muscles to be hydrated. If you are dehydrated, your recovery process slows immensely and halts the protein synthesis that rebuilds muscles. Try adding Rapid Recovery to your water to aid in your post-workout recovery.

Your water intake goal

The rule we have all heard is 8 glasses of 8 ounces of water every day, but that may not be the case for everyone. Some experts say to constantly sip on water throughout the day, even when you’re not thirsty. As a goal, try to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water. So, if you weigh 140 pounds, you should aim to drink 70 ounces of water every day. Of course, if you work out or lose water through sweat, you will need to drink more water to replenish that.

How to stay hydrated

Here are three tips on how to meet your hydration goal:

Add electrolytes to your water. Electrolytes are the minerals responsible for directing water to the areas in your body that need it most. Electrolytes help increase your hydration potential and maintain optimal fluid balance within cells themselves. If you’re reaching for a sports drink with electrolytes, look for one with a balance of electrolytes and healthy carbohydrates. Simple sugars could further dehydrate you. Try adding aminoVITAL Action to your water! With electrolytes and zero sugar, it’s a great way to keep your body hydrated throughout your toughest training.

Drink water throughout the day. Reach for some water anytime you want a drink. Replacing current drinks with water will help you reduce your sugar intake and help you reach your fluid goals. Drinking water throughout the day will help keep your thirst quenched.

Add flavor to your water. Sometimes it’s tough to want to drink water. If you’re looking to add flavor to your water, try aminoVITAL. Packed with electrolytes, vitamins, and amino acids, your body gets the nutrients it needs to power through your workout, all while keeping you hydrated.