In midst of fall sports season, hydration becomes a priority
The football team has coaches who emphasize the importance of hydration, both on and off the field.
Composing more than half of the human body, water is used for many vital functions: circulation, muscle movement, brain activity––water is the oil for the bodily engine. Each human cell and organ is suspended in a fluid made of mostly water. Through normal bodily functions such as perspiration, digestion, and breathing, the body constantly loses fluids. Problems begin to arise when there isn’t a supply of water to draw on, making the output greater than the input, and leaving the human body in a situation known as dehydration.
On a hot summer day, most people will do anything to reach for a nice cold drink to quench their thirst. It’s common practice to crave that miracle drink––water, but unfortunately, the majority of Americans and in particular adolescents, aren’t taking this major life component seriously.
Students should try to drink water all throughout the day, rather than just refilling after or during practice.
— Sharon Ingalls
Dehydration isn’t always obvious, especially if the human body isn’t undergoing strenuous activity or in an abnormally hot environment. “By the time you feel thirsty, you know it’s too late, muscle cramping, nausea, light headed are all other serious symptoms,” BSM Health Aide, Sharon Ingalls said.
Many of the minor symptoms are easy to ignore or attribute to other ailments. It’s important to recognize that these symptoms may be indicators of dehydration. “[Dehydration] can really make you feel foggy and clear thinking can be muddled. Feeling tired out, nausea, muscle cramping, and stomach pain are all symptoms as well,” Ingalls said.
It’s commonly believed that one must drink at least 8 glasses, or more specifically 64 ounces, a day in order to satisfy their bodies needs, and while those measurements are a good benchmark, gauging how your body feels is more effective. If it’s hot outside or you’re planning on a big workout later in the day, you should be drinking even more water than the prescribed 8 cups. “Students should try to drink water all throughout the day, rather than just refilling after or during practice,” Ingalls said.
BSM’s cross country team has been struggling with hydration during this season. Because running with water isn’t always an option, it’s even more vital that the team fills up on water hours before before they lace up their running shoes. “A lot of the cross country team has been having a hard time this season. People push themselves too hard and they often faint as a result,” cross country captain Sammy Rude, cross country captain, said.
The football team also recognizes the importance of hydration. “Our coach tells us that we should always get water when we need it. He tells us that we need to stay hydrated all week long, not just on the day of the game,” senior football player Jack Goldstein said. As a result, it’s not uncommon to see water bottles clutched in the hands of football players everyday at school.
Countless studies have shown that a simple improvement of a few glasses extra of water a day can dramatically improve the way one feels, performs in different tasks, and even thinks. Running low on water can affect students’ performances in the classroom. All too often, test scores and high note retention are jeopardized.
Thanks to the new water-bottle fill stations as well as the new Hydration Station located in the commons cafeteria, students no longer have an excuse to skip out on their eight glasses at BSM.
