A Strategy for Maintaining Fluid and Electrolyte Balance in Aerobic Effort

Abstract

During endurance exercise, approximately 2% of the body weight is lost through sweating, although the adaptive phenomenon of water “conservation” (slow blood flow to the kidneys) and prevention of dehydration is triggered in the athletes’ body. Higher losses emphasize this situation, because hydrostatic pressure differences within the internal compartment causes fluid transfer. Such gradients occur during exercise, when due increase of the osmotic pressure water is redistributed from the blood vessels to the muscles. The internal environment's electrolyte homeostasis is highly influenced by daily intake of water with or without minerals. The desire to minimize hyperthermia, dehydration and mineral imbalances in the athletes’ body, as well as overall hydration - pre, intra and after effort - is a constant concern for sports specialists. Obtaining the “ideal” drink for athletes during recovery, in order to stimulate intestinal absorption of water, to maintain the electrolyte balance of the body and to provide energy to support muscular activity continues to be a challenge for most producing companies