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Although the article by Pitsiladis and Beis does provide some examination of the evidence for fluid intake, it fails to provide any actual advice.One potential suggestion is to differentiate drinking recommendations for the elite athlete and those performing recreational exercise.
In the elite athlete fluid replacement should be individual and determined by appropriate testing in the field with a variety of environmental conditions, fluid compositions, exercise intensities and durations. Here emphasis is placed on optimising performance benefit. In contrast recommendations for recreational athletes should be to drink appropriately when thirsty. This simple advice avoids confusion and ensures that health risks associated with over drinking are minimised, in particular the risk of exercise associated hyponatraemia.
Re: To drink or not to drink to drink recommendations: the evidence
Although the article by Pitsiladis and Beis does provide some examination of the evidence for fluid intake, it fails to provide any actual advice.One potential suggestion is to differentiate drinking recommendations for the elite athlete and those performing recreational exercise.
In the elite athlete fluid replacement should be individual and determined by appropriate testing in the field with a variety of environmental conditions, fluid compositions, exercise intensities and durations. Here emphasis is placed on optimising performance benefit. In contrast recommendations for recreational athletes should be to drink appropriately when thirsty. This simple advice avoids confusion and ensures that health risks associated with over drinking are minimised, in particular the risk of exercise associated hyponatraemia.
Competing interests: No competing interests