Abstract des Autors

All exercise is associated to a greater or lesser extent with water and electrolyte loss and carbohydrate utilization. The water and electrolyte loss are largely a result of sweat production and excretion in an attempt to dissipate the heat generated by muscular contraction. The carbohydrate utilisation provides some of the energy required for muscular contraction. The extent to which each of these occur is influenced by many factors including the environmental conditions and microclimate of any clothing worn, the intensity and duration of the exercise being undertaken, and the physical fitness and other physiological characteristics of the individual. From the late 1960's, many people have been striving to find the "ideal sports drink" which would address the water, electrolyte and carbohydrate needs of the exercising individual. The effects of feeding different types and amounts of beverages during exercise have been extensively investigated, using a wide variety of experimental models. Not all studies have shown a positive effect of fluid ingestion on performance, but, with the exception of a few investigations where the composition of the drinks administered was such as to result in gastro-intestinal disturbances, there are no studies showing that fluid ingestion will have an adverse effect on performance. Verf.-Referat