The season for fall sports is upon us, and while that may mean crisp air and cool fall temperatures for the rest of the country, Florida is still a hot place to be, especially while playing sports under loads of sports gear. Dehydration is a real concern when it comes to fall sports in The Sunshine State, so it’s prime time to review the facts and stats of staying hydrated while out competing on the playing field this fall. Take our pop quiz and test your hydration IQ and learn how to safeguard your athletes.
- True or False? The daily recommended intake for adults for plain water is eight glasses.
- Which of the following is the daily recommendation for the total amount of water, in ounces, for adult men and women (respectively) that should be consumed from both food and beverage sources?
- 64; 50
- 90; 70
- 125; 91
- 200; 100
- Which of the following factors does NOT increase the chances of suffering dehydration during fall sports?
- The use of athletic equipment
- High temperatures
- A high-intensity practice session
- Team sports versus individual sports
- The length of a practice session
- What does the CDC recommend drinking for hydration?
- Just water, because it has no calories or additives
- Sodas or sugary drinks, because they are flavorful and tasty to drink
- Coffee, for the energy boost from the caffeine
- Milk, for the protein
- Which of the following are factors that affect an individual’s need for water? (Choose all that apply)
- Age and gender
- Body mass
- Physical activity levels
- Climate
- All of the Above
- True or False? According to the American College of Sports Medicine, the majority of heat illness cases occur in the first four days of the football season.
- the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends giving the body time to adjust to the intensity of high-impact workouts by utilizing early-season practices that are which of the following?
- Shorter
- Less intense
- Include time for rest
- All of the Above
- True or False? The (ACSM) recommends athletes start the season without equipment, and then to introduce it slowly over the course of the first few weeks of practice.
Resources: Information provided by the Centers for Disease Control, the Natural Hydration Council, and DripDrop Hydration.
ANSWERS:
- There are no medical recommendations for how much water adults and youth should drink on a daily basis, but there are recommendations for daily total water intake from food and beverages.
- C. 125; 91. It is recommended that, on average, men get 125 ounces, and women get 91 ounces, of water from both beverage and food sources, though each individual’s needs will vary.
- D. Team sports versus individual sports. All the rest do increase the chances of suffering dehydration during fall sports.
- A. Just water, because it has no calories or additives
- E. All of the Above. Water needs vary based on the other factors, such as age, gender, and physical activity levels.
- True. The majority of heat illness cases occur in the first four days of the football season, though dehydration and heat illnesses can occur with any sport.
- D. All of the Above. They are all ways to adjust workouts to allow the body time to acclimate and avoid dehydration.
- True. Equipment increases the chances of dehydration, so taking time to acclimate the body to equipment is important too.