Gatorade And All-Star Athlete Roster Promote The Importance Of Athlete Hydration And Heat Safety With 11th Annual Beat The Heat Program
CHICAGO, June 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — To help keep athletes safe and performing at their best during the hot summer months, The Gatorade Company, a division of PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP), has partnered with top professional athletes in a variety of sports including J.J. Watt, Jimmie Johnson, Usain Bolt, Eli Manning, April Ross and more for the Gatorade Beat the Heat educational campaign this summer. In its 11th year, Gatorade Beat the Heat has also teamed up with the Korey Stringer Institute and league partners including the NFL and NBA to continue to raise awareness among athletes, parents and coaches on how proper hydration can help reduce heat-related illnesses during athletic activity.
While dehydration is a risk across all types of youth sports during the hot summer months, research conducted by the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) found that as many as 70 percent of high school football players showed up for practice inadequately hydrated. Additionally, research shows that dehydration or poor hydration increases the risk for heat illness.
“Athletes don’t always fully comprehend how dehydration can negatively impact performance,” said Dr.James Carter, Director of GSSI. “Through the Beat the Heat program, we and our partners are able to educate athletes, parents and coaches about the importance of proper hydration and safety measures while active in the heat.”
Throughout the summer, featured professional athletes will visit youth sports camps and will be shown on Gatorade’s YouTube page sharing their heat recommendations and warning athletes about the perils of dehydration.
“The Beat the Heat program is important because of its goal of providing education and awareness around the prevention, recognition and treatment of heat-related illness during the summer sports season,” saidGeorge Chiampas, Korey Stringer Institute Medical and Science Advisory Board. “While you can’t change the weather, you can change how you approach practices or competitions and games in hot weather. Athletes, referees, parents and coaches may not know that heat-related illnesses can be prevented with appropriate strategies related to hydration, acclimatization, fitness, cooling and practice modifications.”
“It’s the responsibility of athletes, coaches, parents and trainers to closely monitor the warning signs of dehydration and heat-related illness,” said Bryan Snyder, Denver Broncos Director of Team Nutrition. “Beyond simple hydration, drinks that contain electrolytes to help retain and regulate fluids are very important. Additionally, the consumption of carbohydrates found in sports drinks can help an athlete’s performance.”
