Skip to content
Shopping Cart
0 items

Popular Products

SWORD® 30 Serv Advanced Electrolyte Hydration Powder Resealable Bag w/Scoop
SWORD® Performance electrolyte hydration was built to give your body the edge against the toughest challenges you face. Formulated specifically to improve hydration and help fight fatigue, SWORD® has everything you need to refuel before, during, and after undertaking demanding tasks; and nothing you...
Regular price
$34.75
Regular price
Sale price
$34.75
SHIELD®Zero 32ct Sugar Free Electrolyte Enhanced Powder Singles Bio Bag
ZERO Calories, Zero Sugar, Zero Artificial Sweeteners, Zero Compromises In An ALL NEW Biodegradable Resealable Pouch! SHIELD® Zero is a full-flavored healthy hydration beverage with balanced electrolytes that hydrates better and faster than water. Light, refreshing flavors from real fruit with zero sugar, and zero artificial sweeteners....
Regular price
$32.99
Regular price
Sale price
$32.99
SWORD® 24ct Advanced Electrolyte Powder Singles Bio Bag
SWORD® Performance electrolyte hydration was built to give your body the edge against the toughest challenges you face. Formulated specifically to quickly improve hydration, recover and help fight fatigue, SWORD® has everything you need to refuel before, during, and after undertaking demanding tasks; and...
Regular price
$26.99
Regular price
Sale price
$26.99
Cart
0 items

A Brief History of the Sports Drink

Electrolytes

by Sword Performance 03 Dec 2015

In this series, Sword Performance reviews the changing tides of scientific thought. How did the founders arrive at their formula? Through careful analysis of past work in the study, and through their own work in the field.

A Brief History of the Sports Drink | Electrolytes 

The case for electrolyte supplementation during exercise is more difficult to make. Given that the average person loses over 800mg sodium, about 150mg potassium, and trace amounts of calcium, magnesium, and zinc in every liter of sweat lost during exercise, it makes sense that electrolytes should be replaced. However, the human body contains large quantities of these electrolytes, so there appears to be sufficient reserve to prevent the development of significant deficiencies during typical endurance events.

The one electrolyte that seems to have the most potential utility as a supplement during exercise is sodium. Other than chloride, it is the electrolyte lost in the largest quantities in sweat, and there can be a large inter-individual difference in the amount lost. Some athletes have had sweat sodium concentrations measured in excess of 2,000 mg / L. Based on this fact, it appears that there is a group of athletes who can potentially develop a whole-body sodium deficiency during prolonged or repeated bouts of strenuous exercise.

The physiologic effect of sodium provides a further rationale for supplementation. The total body sodium level dictates the amount of fluid volume contained within the extracellular compartment. This includes the vascular space (blood / plasma volume). Preserving the extracellular volume has the potential to enhance performance through improving blood (oxygen and fuel) delivery to the brain and exercising muscle.

Sodium also has two important effects on hydration. Consumption of a sodium-containing fluid preserves the thirst drive better than a drink without sodium. Therefore, athletes drinking a sodium-containing solution will generally drink more. And, sodium helps athletes retain the fluid they consume. Part of any liquid consumed during exercise will be excreted via the urinary system. The addition of sodium to the solution will reduce the amount excreted by the kidneys, therefore increasing the amount available for use by the body.

Conclusions

Our conclusion is that though there is less support for the inclusion of electrolytes in a sports drink, we believe the addition of sodium in the proper amount can have physiologic effects that will provide benefit during prolonged strenuous exercise.

 

930 x 520px

SPRING SUMMER LOOKBOOK

Sample Block Quote

Praesent vestibulum congue tellus at fringilla. Curabitur vitae semper sem, eu convallis est. Cras felis nunc commodo eu convallis vitae interdum non nisl. Maecenas ac est sit amet augue pharetra convallis.

Sample Paragraph Text

Praesent vestibulum congue tellus at fringilla. Curabitur vitae semper sem, eu convallis est. Cras felis nunc commodo eu convallis vitae interdum non nisl. Maecenas ac est sit amet augue pharetra convallis nec danos dui. Cras suscipit quam et turpis eleifend vitae malesuada magna congue. Damus id ullamcorper neque. Sed vitae mi a mi pretium aliquet ac sed elitos. Pellentesque nulla eros accumsan quis justo at tincidunt lobortis deli denimes, suspendisse vestibulum lectus in lectus volutpate.
Prev Post
Next Post

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
Compare ()
Compare
Product SKU Rating Description Collection Availability Product Type Other Details
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items