Gatorade emphasises hydration as critical performance differentiator

Gatorade emphasises hydration as critical performance differentiator


Scientists from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) today conducted a series of specialized sweat tests on former Indian test bowler, Javagal Srinath, and six budding, young fast bowlers at Chinnaswamy Stadium. These hydration tests, aimed at helping both elite cricketers and every day athletes understand how proper hydration can help performance, are among the first such organized tests to be conducted in India.

As the official nutrition partner of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Gatorade used the practice match between India and Australia as a backdrop for kicking off this exclusive testing. The tests will analyze data such as the loss of electrolytes, like sodium and potassium that lead to dehydration and performance crushing conditions like heat illness and severe muscle cramps.

In the tests, six finalists of the Gatorade "Pacers" 2010 fast bowling talent hunt had the exclusive company of ‘Mysore Express,' Javagal Srinath, who was on-hand to share his knowledge and experience. Srinath and the young Indian bowlers started with a warm-up on the stadium greens just before the start of the match, and then moved to an indoor training facility, where tests continued.

"I learned the hard way that optimal hydration can be a strong performance differentiator, especially for pace bowlers, who need sustained staying power with requisite speed and strength," said Srinath. "I am happy that initiatives like Gatorade's sweat testing helps expose our young players, coaches and administrators to the modern scientific methods for physical fitness management, providing the knowledge that our players can use to improve their performance on the field," he added.

Based on the analyses of the test data, GSSI scientists can then make recommendations to assist a player in maintaining hydration and electrolyte balance, preventing dehydration/heat illness and help them perform stronger, for longer durations. Given the heat and humidity in the Indian subcontinent, it becomes crucial to understand the science of sweat and the importance of hydration, especially during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

"At this elite level of play, we continue to find that the players that stand out are the ones that have extensive knowledge in their body's hydration activities," said GSSI scientist, Dr. Stavros Kavouras. "We want to show athletes and active people alike that when your body is hydrated, you can perform at your best to achieve your goals."

The six Gatorade Pacers, part of an effort designed to identify and develop young, fast bowlers in India, are off a seven-day training program at the state-of-the-art ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai. The bowlers include Barinder Singh (Haryana), Abdul Baseer Mohammed (Andhra Pradesh), Gurudas Shenoy (Mumbai), Sukhvir Singh (Punjab), Maninder Singh (Punjab) and Karan Thakur (Delhi).

"We're excited to be able to pair GSSI's extensive knowledge about health and hydration with the elite level of play at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011," said David Richardson, ICC General Manager – Cricket. "These players are role models for young athletes around the world and we want to encourage players to adopt every fair scientific means available to enhance performance in a legal manner and raise the bar of healthy competition."

In order to ensure all players and spectators have the chance to learn more about the importance of proper hydration, the Gatorade Drinks Trolley will be onsite at all ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 games. Gatorade sports drink will also be available to all players for use during training and matches.