How to Hydrate Correctly for Optimum Performance
Robb Beams - CompleteRacingSolutions.com
As a racer, you understand the importance of hydration and its role in your performance on race day - heat regulation, muscle contractions, carries nutrients, joint function, etc.; however, what many racers don't understand is how to calculate and maintain proper hydration levels.
Importance of Proper Hydration on Performance
In addition to being properly fed, proper hydration levels are necessary during a race or cross training sessions to help maintain the proper internal temperature. During activity, working muscles create heat and this heat has to be removed from the body. This (endothermic) process of removing heat is performed through sweat on your skin. As you sweat you naturally loose water and electrolytes; excessive fluid loss results in a decrease of your blood volume which negatively affects your body's ability to rid itself of heat and also increases your heart rate, driving your intensity levels out of the aerobic range.
Signs of Proper Hydration
You are urinating once an hour
Your urine is clear or slightly colored
[Note: if you are taking a multi-vitamin that has B vitamins, this will taint your urine color slightly; focus on the frequency of your urination]
Tips to hydrate properly
Consume half of your body weight in cold filtered water every day (i.e. 150 pound rider x .5 ounces = 75 ounces)
[Note: cold water has been clinically proven to empty from the stomach faster than warm water]
Don't wait until you are thirsty; research has shown that by the time you notice you are thirsty, you have lost 2-3 pounds of fluid.
Take your goal fluid intake and divide it by 8 hours; the typical amount of time you are at work or school, to increase your consistency.
Set an alarm in your phone, watch or daily planner on your computer. An audible reminder will bring an awareness to how quickly time gets by you and how you can become under hydrated by the end of the day.
Keep a hydration log; use a post it, put a black mark on your water bottle with a marker; something that will help you calculate your total fluid intake for the day.
Know your sweat and replenishment rate associated with your training and racing (see below).
Use real food that has a high water & electrolyte content to "pre-hydrate" the body. Fluids are absorbed more efficiently when there is a presence of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium). Fruits and vegetables provide a perfectly combination of water, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, low glycemic sugar and in some cases amino acids; all of which are lost through sweat while your race and cross train.
High Quality Foods that Hydrate
Watermelon contains 92 percent water, 8 percent natural sugar, and essential electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium.
Avocado is comprised of not only healthy monounsaturated fats but also 81 percent water by weight! Avocados are important to racers in the recovery process.
Cucumbers are 96 percent water and have a great electrolyte profile (calcium, magnesium, potassium & sodium). The mineral, silica, also found in cucumber, is essential for healthy, lubricated connective tissue, which includes muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone.
Greek Yogurt contains live bacterial cultures that may improve the immune system. With yogurt's profile of milk sugar and protein, yogurt can be viewed as an ideal recovery food.
The Role of Electrolytes in the Hydrating Process
Sodium is a required element for normal body & muscular functions. Sodium is lost through sweat and urine while replaced by diet. Sodium happens to be the electrolyte that is chronically depleted and needs to be closely watched to maintain optimum levels.
Celery is considered to be a powerful electrolyte food. As little as two to three mineral-rich stalks of celery can replenish an athlete's sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc levels after intense exercise.
Potassium is a positively charged electrolyte within the body's cells. The flow of potassium and sodium in and out of cells maintains the normal functioning of the heart, brain, kidney and skeletal muscles. Potassium is important for muscle contraction and the rhythm of the heart.
Cantaloupe is approximately 89% water. Cantaloupe is an exceptionally good fruit for supporting energy production through its efficient carbohydrate metabolism and ability to keep the blood sugar stable.
Strawberries are approximately 92% water. In addition to being a strong antioxidant, strawberries help regulate the blood sugar response in active individuals.
Magnesium is an essential mineral which acts as a cofactor for over 300 enzyme systems, including those that control the metabolism of glucose. Magnesium has a strong independent role in controlling blood pressure and is thought to be an important factor in preventing heart attacks. The most hydrating magnesium rich food is broccoli.
Broccoli is 90% water and many health supporting compounds which are anti-inflammatory.
Sport Drinks
Why use sports drinks? Your body can only store 60-90 minutes of sugar in your liver and muscles to fuel your efforts. This energy is used from the minute you wake up. By the time you get to the start of your races, your sugar storages are nearly spent. Using a sports drink is an easy way to "top off" sugar that your muscles need for any activity.
When to use a sports drink? 10 minutes before an activity, every 15 minutes during your activity and again within the first 20 minutes after an activity.
How many calories should a sports drink have? 60-70 calories per serving (6% concentration rate); the body can absorb between 100-150 calories every 30 minutes of easily digestible carbohydrates.
What electrolyte profile should a sports drink have? A minimum of 30 mg of potassium and 100mg of sodium is necessary to maintain proper muscle contractions.
If you are struggling with cramping or other stomach related issues while using a sports drink, please email me directly (robb3@earthlink.net) and I will help you determine which sports drink is ideal for you based on your training and racing efforts.
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Work Smart, Not Hard!
By implementing these hydrating tips, you will see your body produce all new levels of speed, consistent lap times and a reduction in fatigue!
Coach Robb has been working with riders & racers for the last 25 years and is the founder of the Complete Racing Solutions Performance Program & Nutritionally Green Supplements based in Orlando Florida. He has contributed to publications such as Racer X, FLMX and is a regular contributor to RacerX online, RacerXVT, Vurbmoto and various racing websites. Robb can also be heard on the monthly radio show DMXS answering listener's questions about nutrition & fitness. CompleteRacingSolutions.com is a premium resource center for motocross, supercross and GNCC riders of all abilities and ages. The website outlines the training solutions used with great success by Factory Kawasaki/Pro-Circuit's Adam Cianciarulo, Broc Tickle, Darryn Durham; Factory, Factory Honda's Ashley Fiolek, Suzuki's Jordan Bailey, Factory KTM Off Road Charlie Mullins & Yamaha's Roman Brown & Morgan Moss. Instructional videos with Coach Robb can be found on the Coach Robb's Youtube Channel addressing rider's questions about speed, endurance, strength nutrition, biomechanics, and stretching and soft tissue maintenance. Please visitCompleteRacingSolutions.com to subscribe to his newsletter and learn more about various resources for riders. You can follow him on Twitter: @MotoCoachRobb and on Facebook: Coach Robb.
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