IN THE NEWS #5 Hyponatremia is an Epidemic in Sports Today

In Sports Nutrition Class we discussed hyponatreumia and its effect on endurance athletes performance. After watching the interesting video of the Womens Olympic Marathon in 1984, it has raised my interest in the importance of proper hydration and sodium/water balance in endurance sports. This video discusses the idea of hyponatreumia and its effect on Ultra Marathon Runners.

As an athletic trainer it is our duty to make sure that our athletes are properly hydrated. Although we cannot force them to drink certain beverages and stop them from drinking others it is very important that we educate them on proper hydration, how to tell if one is hydrated, how much is needed to properly rehydrate after activity or competition, and self testing of hydration status via urine color, etc.
Please view the video and let me know what you think.