Guide to Proper Hydration During Physical Activity

Here at Enecta, we’re committed to good health and healthy physical activities. This is especially prevalent in our ongoing support of various sporting and fitness lessons.

Our products are designed to help people achieve and maintain optimum health. Therefore, we want to educate our customers about healthy practices associated with sport and physical activity.

As people well now, hydration and physical activity go hand-in-hand. If people fail to hydrate appropriately, it can have a detrimental effect on both health and sporting performance. Not only this, but it can be perilous, especially during the summer months.

Hydration and Physical Activity

There are many health and performance-related benefits to appropriately hydrating both during and after physical activity.

Benefits of Hydrating Before Physical Activity

Regulation of Body Temperature

Although it seems obvious, our bodies cannot get rid of the heat generated during exercise without having enough fluid to create sweat. When our core temperatures rise faster than they should, our hearts become unnecessarily stressed. Additionally, overheated muscles will not perform at their best, making it harder for us to achieve the results that we desire.

Muscle Function and Growth

Water carries nutrients to cells and helps to transport waste out of the body. Without sufficient water, these processes cannot work efficiently. If the body becomes dehydrated, muscles become deprived of essential electrolytes, which can lead to cramps. Without an efficient balance between water and electrolytes, muscle control and strength becomes impaired.

Joint Health

Water is also incredibly important for our joints. Synovial fluid contains water; if we become dehydrated, there is less of this fluid to lubricate our joints. Joints should always be given careful consideration, especially when exercising for prolonged periods as these are the times when most injuries can occur.

Benefits of Hydrating After Physical Activity

Repairing Muscles

Exercise strengthens muscles by breaking them down and then rebuilding them using muscle protein synthesis. For protein synthesis to work efficiently, muscles must be well hydrated. If somebody is dehydrated following a workout, the protein synthesis that helps muscles rebuild slows down and delays proper recovery.

Efficient Digestion

It’s critical to eat just the right amount immediately after a workout to replenish glycogen stores and refuel the body. Saliva is composed primarily of water and is crucial in aiding digestion and absorption of all the nutrients consumed post-workout. Therefore, rehydrating appropriately after a workout helps support the efficiency of the digestive process.

Ridding the Body of Toxins

Working out helps to cleanse the entire body because of the vigorous movements involved. When we exercise, our heart rates increase, blood flows through every organ, and toxins are released. However, if there is insufficient water available, your system will be unable to flush out toxins, and this process will stop.

We wish you all the best with any sporting endeavors and encourage healthy nutrition and exercise as part of an overall health-conscious lifestyle.