The “Parenting Aces Blog” has a good article on heat and hydration. Excerpts below, Full article – HERE.
What is heat-induced cramping? According to Dr. Scott Riewald, USTA’s Administrator of Sport Science, heat cramps come from dehydration and electrolyte loss that result from sweating. There are other factors (e.g. anxiety, psychological stresses) that can contribute to heat cramps as well. The end result is there is a change in the way the nerves communicate with the muscles – the nerves send inappropriate electrical signals to the muscles that cause them to contract or spasm.
Contrary to popular belief (even by the pros), bananas are NOT the cure for cramping. Yes, bananas are high in potassium, but they are not high in sodium which is the mineral responsible for keeping heat cramps at bay. Therefore, sports nutritionists agree that taking a salty snack – such as pretzels – on court to eat IN MODERATION during changeovers is a great preventive tactic.
Related articles
- Heatstroke (habwwe.wordpress.com)
- It’s Not So Much the Heat, It’s the Lack of Power (nlm.nih.gov)
- The Dangers Of Heat And How To Stay Safe (wjla.com)
- Heat Exposure – The Inside Story (safetygator.wordpress.com)
