CONQUERING THIRST

Women's Basketball, Apr 2004 by Elfman, Lois

An information sheet from the Gatorade iports Science Institute (GSSI) states: 'Basketball is a highly intense sport that equires its players to have speed, agility and power throughout the game. The peak energy level needed for basketball can be maximized with good hydration and nutrition pre- and post-court."

The sports drink Gatorade was invented in 1965 by researchers at the University of Florida to help prevent dehydration in the Florida Gators football team. Today athletes in numerous sports use it. Research is constant a· the GSSI, where basketball players Vince Carter, Yao Ming and Chamique Holdsclaw help provide information about how performance can be maximized. Gatorade is the official sports drink of the WNBA.

"Regardless of sex, Gatorade is the appropriate choice for basketball practices and games, particularly because of the high intensity nature of the activity," says Dr. Bob Murray, director of the GSSI. "Basketball requires two things from a physiological standpoint - high sweat rates to help get rid of the heat, and it requires that the muscles use predominantly carbohydrates for energy. Consequently, the athletes are burning a lot of carbohydrates and losing a lot of fluid and electrolytes. Gatorade brings those back rapidly."

It is said that if you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Murray says it is an excellent idea to drink Gatorade before and during games and practice - not when you feel thirsty.

"If you go into the workout well-hydrated with a little carbohydrate energy in your stomach, you'll get a better workout and your performance will be better," Murray says.

Kris Osterberg, a research science at the GSSI and a former basketball player, says she has found basketball players are often uneducated about the need for proper hydration.

"Drink something before you start playing and then drink throughout the game, instead of waiting until afterwards to try to drink enough to hydrate yourselves," she says.

Gatorade used to have the marketing tagline "for deep down body thirst." In fact, that is a relevant fact. While water may quickly quench the thirst in the throat, the body isn't being fully hydrated.

"Gatorade provides some light-flavored sweetness that helps stimulate the desire to consume fluids, so the athlete drinks more and stays better hydrated," Murray says. "It contains carbohydrates that both our muscles and our brains and central nervous systems can almost immediately use as energy. It also contains electrolytes to help replace that which is lost in sweat."

For those who may be intent on drinking water, Gatorade has developed Propel Fitness Water, which contains essential vitamins to help hydrate and nourish the body.

Gatorade is constantly tweaking its formula in minor ways. It develops new flavors so there is something to appeal to every taste.

"We want to make sure there's at least one flavor out there for everybody," says Murray.

To learn more about Gatorade, log onto www.Gatorade.com. For information on the GSSI, check out www.gssiweb.com. Information is available not only about Gatorade products, but also overall nutrition and sports facts.