POWERADE CHOSEN TO HYDRATE THE PROTEAS

Cricket South Africa has chosen Powerade to hydrate the Proteas during the 2012/13 cricket season against New Zealand, and later Pakistan.

The first of two test matches against New Zealand starts today and based on the number of hours the players will be on the field in the blazing Cape Town sun, this highlights the importance of players being adequately hydrated before, during and after physical activity.  The American College of Sports Medicine’s stand on exercise and fluid replacement (2007) promotes sports drinks such as Powerade as they have been shown to be an effective source of fluids, providing carbohydrates and electrolytes. 

Rob Walter, fitness and conditioning coach of the Proteas who has over 11 years experience in training elite athletes highlights the importance of consuming specially formulated sports drinks such as Powerade during intense physical activity. “Powerade is key to our performance in terms of providing the energy required to maintain sustained levels of high performance, as well as helps with recovery after prolonged exercise.” 

“The number one rule to avoid dehydration is to listen to your body,” explains Walter.  “Thirst is the body’s first indication of dehydration. Failure to replace fluid, carbohydrates and electrolytes can lead to fatigue, which can impair performance.”

To keep the Proteas players adequately hydrated it may take up to 7 litres of fluids per player per day. A further 4 litres per player is allocated to keep the team hydrated during training sessions.

Walter further highlights how dehydration can kick-in quickly in South Africa’s hot and humid conditions:  “When conditions are hot and humid the players sweat more, so it’s important to replace those fluids and nutrients which are lost through sweating. With extreme temperatures, players average between 3 to 5 litres of fluids in a training session.”

Drinking Powerade helps put back both the fluid and electrolytes lost during prolonged exercise.

“Powerade is proud to have been chosen by Cricket South Africa to hydrate the Proteas. Throughout the world, Powerade is associated with premier sporting events and athletes like the Proteas.  The work the players put in behind the scenes, on the training field, is paramount to success on the playing field, and as a sports drink, Powerade is proud to be a part of that journey towards the game. Powerade’s role is to ensure players stay hydrated, replacing lost fluid, carbohydrates and electrolytes, and making sure they are ready for the next part of the game, that’s what the fans want to see, Proteas playing to the best of their ability”, said Ismail Nanabhay, Senior Brand Manager: Sports & Iced Tea at Coca-Cola South Africa.