Grants Pass, OR (PRWEB) May 21, 2015
Most athletes do not pay enough attention to their water intake and as a result, dehydration could hinder their performance. That was the conclusion of fresh water advocate and radio host Sharon Kleyne, speaking to Robert A. Weil, DPM, on the Sports Doctor radio show. Most people, says Kleyne, are slightly dehydrated to begin with, which definitely affects coordination and vision and can take the competitive edge off an athlete’s performance.
Dr. Weil specializes in podiatric medicine, orthotics and sports medicine. He's written "The Sports Doctor" column for the Naperville (Illinois) Sun and Aurora Beacon since 2007. He has worked with prominent athletes, including Olympic figure skating champion Evan Lysacek. The Sports Doctor radio show airs Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. PST/PDT on HealthyLife.net
The syndicated Sharon Kleyne Hour™ Power of Water® radio show, hosted by Kleyne, is heard Mondays at 10 a.m. PDT/PST on VoiceAmerica and Apple iTunes. The education oriented show is sponsored by Bio-Logic Aqua® Research, founded by Kleyne and specializes in fresh water, atmosphere, dehydration and vision. Nature’s Tears® EyeMist® is the Research Center’s signature product for dry eye and eye allergies.
For a podcast of the May 13, 2015 Sports Doctor show, with guest Sharon Kleyne, go to http://healthylife.net/. Click on the show listing, then click on “download,” then open the download. For a podcast of Dr. Weil’s February 25, 2015 appearance on the Sharon Kleyne Hour™ Power of Water®, go to http://www.SharonKleyneHour.com.
With a warming, drying climate, air pollution, global water shortages and the stressful pace of today’s society, according to Kleyne, few people take time to make sure they drink enough water. For an athlete seeking to maximize their performance, slight dehydration can cost them a competitive edge. Weil, also a fresh water advocate, strongly agrees.
Kleyne and Weil also agree that education about the importance of water could not only improve sports performance but save lives. Both believe that water is the source of all life and that water supply and hydration should be the top priority for every government and every individual.
Most people, says Kleyne, are aware that in hot weather and heavy physical activity, considerable body water can be lost to perspiration. The water contain in perspiration comes directly from the blood and heavy perspiration can quickly deplete the body’s supply of water and electrolyte, leading to heat stroke.
The body can also lose water, Kleyne notes, to surface evaporation from the upper skin layers and from the protective tear film covering the eyes, which is 99 percent water. Surface evaporation has little to do with perspiration and but can result in dehydration of skin, eyes and body.
A loss to evaporation of only 2 percent of the water in the eyes’ tear film, according to Kleyne, can trigger dry eye symptoms such as itching and burning eyes, blurred vision, fatigue, headache and stress, symptoms that could negatively impact athletic performance. In addition, a body water loss of 5 percent can result in fatigue and dizziness, which affects muscular coordination, while a loss greater than 15 percent can be fatal.
To maintain full body and eye hydration, Kleyne recommends that everyone drink a minimum of eight glasses of water a day in addition to all other fluids. Drink two full glasses on rising and at least two more full glasses during the day. The other four glasses can be sipped. Avoid caffeine, sugar, alcohol and carbonated beverages, which are all dehydrating. Individuals under 100 pounds should drink half their body weight in ounces per day.
For athletes, especially athletes who perform outdoors in summer, Kleyne and Weil recommend an additional full glass prior to the activity, sipping water during the activity and another full glass after the activity. An externally applied water mist such as Nature’s Tears™ EyeMist® from Kleyne’s Bio-Logic Aqua® Research also helps keep skin and eyes hydrated.
Kleyne does not object to sports drinks such as Gatorade, which contains water plus electrolytes and a little sugar, or energy drinks as long as the user is aware than caffeine is dehydrating and the added energy could come at a cost.
©2015 Bio-Logic Aqua® Research. All rights reserved.