Brown County High School

The Vital Power of Hydration “Stay hydrated!” By Victor Moreno Morillo – Hydration is key for peak athletic performance. Hydration affects all of the areas involved during physical exercise. For example: physical efficiency, injury prevention, and decision making. The point here is that we are constantly losing both Water and Electrolytes. Electrolytes are salts and minerals that aid during physical activity that our body doesn’t naturally produce. This is the reason why it is recommended to drink sports drinks before, during, and after sports games or workouts. Just remember to not abuse these kinds of drinks, as they can solve dehydration but bring you many other worse problems. Moreover, if you want to perform at your very best, you shouldn’t just hydrate when doing exercise, but all the time. This can help with physical and mental recovery, as well as improve mood and prevent injuries. Approximately 75% of Americans are dehydrated. Some signs to look for are: Muscle cramping Fatigue Lightheadedness Dizziness Confusion Dry mouth or nose Increased heart rate and breathing If you want to learn more about hydration and electrolytes, check out this article: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/nutrition-and-fitness/sports-and-hydration-for-athletes