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Electrolytes & Hydration – Optimising Performance in Hot Weather

Proper hydration combined with adequate electrolyte replacement is an important part of athletic performance – especially in hot weather. Individual factors play a crucial role in this. Athletes who are aware of their personal levels of sweat and electrolyte loss and replenish them accordingly can improve their performance and reduce the risk of performance drops and muscle cramps.



Proper hydration combined with adequate electrolyte replacement is an important part of athletic performance – especially in hot weather. Individual factors play a crucial role in this. Athletes who are aware of their personal levels of sweat and electrolyte loss and replenish them accordingly can improve their performance and reduce the risk of performance drops and muscle cramps.



Theimportance of electrolytes and hydration for performance
Theimportance of electrolytes and hydration for performance

When people sweat, the body not only loses fluids but also essential electrolytes. Even moderate fluid loss can reduce blood volume, affect oxygen supply to the muscles and elevate heart rate. In addition, an imbalanced electrolyte level has a negative impact on muscular and neurological function.
When it comes to sport, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and chloride are particularly important. Sodium plays a key role, as it is lost in large quantities through sweat and helps regulate the body’s fluid balance. These effects are even more noticeable in higher temperatures, as sweating goes up and dehydration sets in faster.

When people sweat, the body not only loses fluids but also essential electrolytes. Even moderate fluid loss can reduce blood volume, affect oxygen supply to the muscles and elevate heart rate. In addition, an imbalanced electrolyte level has a negative impact on muscular and neurological function.
When it comes to sport, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and chloride are particularly important. Sodium plays a key role, as it is lost in large quantities through sweat and helps regulate the body’s fluid balance. These effects are even more noticeable in higher temperatures, as sweating goes up and dehydration sets in faster.

Sweat Test: understanding sodium loss

Hydration and electrolyte intake should already begin before training

Hydration and electrolyte intake should already begin before training

Optimally, hydration should not begin at the start of a training session or competition, but well before. A well-hydrated body regulates its temperature more efficiently, is less prone to fatigue, and starts training or competition with a balanced fluid and electrolyte balance.
Particularly in hot weather, during long periods of physical activity or when there is significant sweat loss, a targeted intake of fluids and sodium before the start can be beneficial. Hydration Preloader provides sodium, electrolytes and carbohydrates, helping to prepare the body for the upcoming exertion. Ideally, it should be taken 60–90 minutes before the start of physical activity.

Optimally, hydration should not begin at the start of a training session or competition, but well before. A well-hydrated body regulates its temperature more efficiently, is less prone to fatigue, and starts training or competition with a balanced fluid and electrolyte balance.
Particularly in hot weather, during long periods of physical activity or when there is significant sweat loss, a targeted intake of fluids and sodium before the start can be beneficial. Hydration Preloader provides sodium, electrolytes and carbohydrates, helping to prepare the body for the upcoming exertion. Ideally, it should be taken 60–90 minutes before the start of physical activity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Electrolytes

Electrolytes are important for any athlete. They are especially important for endurance activities such as running, trail running, cycling or triathlon, during intense training sessions and competitions in hot weather, and for people who sweat heavily or whose sweat is particularly salty.

Water replaces lost fluid but does not compensate for electrolyte loss. Electrolyte drinks offer clear benefits: They improve fluid absorption in the gut through sodium and glucose, they help maintain electrolyte balance, they support performance and they reduce the risk of cramps and untimely fatigue.
Consuming only water can reduce the concentration of electrolytes in the blood. This might affect performance and, in extreme cases, lead to hyponatraemia, with symptoms such as dizziness, muscle tremors and feelings of sickness.

A Sweat Test can be used to find out exactly how much fluid and sodium a individual loses. Based on these results, a personalised hydration plan can be developed to ensure optimal hydration during both training and competition.

SPONSER® offers a wide range of products to support electrolyte intake: Electrolytes Tabs, low-calorie effervescent tabs in five refreshing flavours to dissolve in water. Salt Caps, which can be swallowed or dissolve in water and have a pleasant salty taste. The completely flavourless drinking powder Electrolytes Pure offering flexible dosing. And Hydration Preloader, a carbohydrate-containing drinking powder to prepare and prolonged exertion in the heat. In addition, our highly appreciated sports drinks Competition® and Ultra Competition, our Liquid Energy Gels and our High Energy Bars provide convenient amounts of sodium and other electrolytes for a wide range of sporting activities.

Both products can be dosed individually. Salt Caps have a pleasant salty taste, whilst Electrolytes Pure is completely tasteless.

Electrolytes Tabs are used to make a refreshing electrolyte drink with a fruity flavour. With Electrolytes Pure drink powder, on the other hand, you can turn plain water into a flavourless electrolyte drink or add electrolytes to any drink of your choice. Another difference: Electrolytes Pure is completely free from sugar, sweeteners and artificial flavours. This makes it ideal for meeting the body's electrolyte needs without altering the taste or sweetness of a drink.

Hydration Preloader is a flavourless drink powder that should be taken approximately 60–90 minutes before training or competition in hot weather conditions. One serving provides 1000 mg of sodium and 20 g of easily digestible carbohydrates derived from waxy maize starch, with a sugar content of just 0.1 g.

In summary:Carbo Loader optimises the body's carbohydrate stores before exercise, whilst Hydration Preloader specifically influences hydration and electrolyte levels before the start.
Carbo Loader is a highly concentrated carbohydrate-electrolyte drink designed to specifically replenish the body's carbohydrate stores in the 24–48 hours leading up to a competition or a long endurance session. One serving provides 73 g of carbohydrates from various sources as well as electrolytes, and is characterised by low osmolality and good tolerability. Carbo Loader is also suitable for supporting recovery, for example during training camps or between several days of competition.
Hydration Preloader, on the other hand, serves a different purpose: it is consumed 60–90 minutes before exercise and is designed to specifically prepare the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance. With 1000 mg of sodium, other electrolytes and 20 g of carbohydrates per serving, it supports an optimal start to training and competition, particularly in hot conditions, with high sweat loss or during prolonged exercise.

Create your perfect sports drink
Create your perfect sports drink

In our graphical overview, you’ll find the different energy levels listed vertically, whilst the horizontal axis shows the individual sodium content.

In our graphical overview, you’ll find the different energy levels listed vertically, whilst the horizontal axis shows the individual sodium content.