Cardiac drift occurs because dehydration causes a drop in blood volume with less blood being pumped with each heartbeat. The heart rate increases 7 beats per minute for each 1% loss in body weight due to dehydration.
The keys to Proper Hydration:
Drink on schedule, rather than relying on thirst
Drink during training as well as competition
Drink cold water to increase gastric emptying
The opinion of the American College of Sports Medicine on Exercise and Fluid Replacement (ACSM, 1996) is that adequate fluid replacement helps maintain hydration and, therefore promotes the health, safety and optimal physical performance of individuals participating in regular physical activity.
Use of the dehydration indicator on the ACUMEN
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