Hydration strategy key as high school athletes begin practice

Faculty News Research News
By Angie Hunt, ISU News Service
10/18/2018

The first week of high school sports practices is a particularly vulnerable time for athletes, says an Iowa State University assistant professor of kinesiology. James Lang studies how environmental stresses, such as heat, affect how our bodies regulate internal temperature.

Lang says being proactive about hydration, rather than reactive, is important to keep athletes safe. He has the following recommendations for coaches and athletes:

See the complete story by the ISU News Service.

 

Key contacts

James Lang, assistant professor, Kinesiology, Iowa State University, 515-294-4027, jlang1@iastate.edu

Angie Hunt, communications specialist, ISU News Service, Iowa State University, 515-294-8986, amhunt@iastate.edu

By Angie Hunt, ISU News Service
News

Quick Look

The first week of high school sports practices is a particularly vulnerable time for athletes, says an Iowa State University assistant professor of kinesiology. James Lang studies how environmental stresses, such as heat, affect how our bodies regulate internal temperature. Lang says being proactive about hydration, rather than reactive, is important to keep athletes safe.

“Athletes need to have a hydration plan and cannot rely upon thirst. They can suffer some of the ill effects of dehydration or heat exhaustion before feeling any indication of thirst. Athletes losing 2 percent of their body weight in hydration are already performing at a deficit, and this may be borderline when they begin to feel thirsty.”
James Lang