Electrolyte supplementation

PURETENNISsense

Professional
Runners and cyclists drink it for practical reasons. It's readily available along race routes around the world. A tennis court is a lot simpler because it's at one location so you can pack what you want in your bag or the tournament provides a standard array of drinks that the players can choose from. I know that Pop Tarts are also a popular pre-race food for runners.
That's interesting.... I wonder what their reasoning is for it. Besides the quick burst of glucose.. that'll come soon into their competition.
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru

A: The benefits of drinking a caffeinated, high-sugar beverage, such as Coke, toward the latter part of an endurance event, are well-documented. Research from many institutions has shown it helps mobilize fats and sugar into the bloodstream, making it available for use by the athlete, which should improve endurance performance.

Many athletes, including yours truly, have experienced the boost a few sips of cola can provide during a long-course race. It’s safe to say most people will tolerate and benefit from waiting until late in the run (around miles 16–18) to start drinking cola. Some people will even benefit from drinking 4–8 ounces toward the end of the bike and then again late on the run.


shutterstock_42430756.jpg
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
Not for rehydrations. It is for the fizziness and short burst of energy from the sugar, err caffeine.

Fizziness? They let it go flat.

It isn't for hydration. Recommendations are that you also have electrolyte supplements.

BTW, I'd really hate to man the table with the flat coke. That stuff attracts bees and wasps. I was stung once by a wasp that was attracted to a wastebasket where people threw their paper cups that had had soda in it. It was just before tennis tryouts which I had to forego.
 

PURETENNISsense

Professional
Fizziness? They let it go flat.

It isn't for hydration. Recommendations are that you also have electrolyte supplements.

BTW, I'd really hate to man the table with the flat coke. That stuff attracts bees and wasps. I was stung once by a wasp that was attracted to a wastebasket where people threw their paper cups that had had soda in it. It was just before tennis tryouts which I had to forego.
Man that sucks! I have a very mild allergy to yellow jackets. Got stung on the left bicep on Day 2 of a 4 day tournament. Was kinda neat that it flared up and I looked like I was left handed for that time but it was constantly hot and itchy.
 

LuckyR

Legend
Yes, I don't want Hormone blocking, cancer accelerating substances in my body. Especially when I can make my own electrolyte mix and eat from foods that are more nutrient dense than sugar-ade.


I seriously doubt thus guy pays as much attention to his health if he knew what's in that stuff.


Do you know what Rafa is drinking? If so please share.
Wow, sounds scary. Please list these hormone effecting and cancer promoting ingredients.
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
Man that sucks! I have a very mild allergy to yellow jackets. Got stung on the left bicep on Day 2 of a 4 day tournament. Was kinda neat that it flared up and I looked like I was left handed for that time but it was constantly hot and itchy.

I was bitten on the hand - no tennis for a few days.
 

PURETENNISsense

Professional
Wow, sounds scary. Please list these hormone effecting and cancer promoting ingredients.
I got a little out of hand above but essentially it's the sugar, dextrose, coloring, HFCS (powerade) and artificial flavors.

"Cancer promoting" is mainly the sugar/dextrose.
 

happyandbob

Legend
I got a little out of hand above but essentially it's the sugar, dextrose, coloring, HFCS (powerade) and artificial flavors.

"Cancer promoting" is mainly the sugar/dextrose.

Dextrose is the main source of energy that your body uses to power muscles. Dextrose (aka glucose) is linked by your body into longer molecule glycogen -- which your body stores inside your muscles as food.
 

LuckyR

Legend
Im assuming have a monetary deal by endorsing these companies (I could me wrong and wouldn't mind being educated on this). I guarantee you Djokovic, Federer, Rafa, elite runners, and other high level athletes who care about their body and what goes into it won't consume simple products like Gatorade and Powerade. There's more science to proper hydration and nutrition. Powerade and Gatorade are not the answer... plain and simple, too much sugar.
Many, many issues. So for clarity, 1) yes Gatorade pays tons to get their logo on cannisters and cups, 2) true, a few high profile athletes make a big deal of not drinking Gatorade (as expected from prima donnas), but the locker room talk is that the rank and file drink what is readily available, Gatorade and/or water. 3) as to sugar content, regular Gatorade has half the sugar as a Pepsi, (and is designed for high calorie consumption athletes), but G2 has half of that and Gatorade zero has no sugar.
 
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movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
I just had a look at what Kipchogi (only person to have run a sub 2-hour marathon) drinks for hydration. It's a mix of maltodextrin, fructose, caffeine, pectin, sodium alginate, and sodium chloride. It's $4/serving and has 37 grams of sugars, no fat, no protein.
 

happyandbob

Legend
I just had a look at what Kipchogi (only person to have run a sub 2-hour marathon) drinks for hydration. It's a mix of maltodextrin, fructose, caffeine, pectin, sodium alginate, and sodium chloride. It's $4/serving and has 37 grams of sugars, no fat, no protein.

that's interesting. it's all slowly metabolizing carbs plus pectin to slow it down even more. i guess it makes sense he doesn't want a big sugar spike.
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
that's interesting. it's all slowly metabolizing carbs plus pectin to slow it down even more. i guess it makes sense he doesn't want a big sugar spike.

He can run at a 4.6 minutes/mile pace for 2 hours. It's fun watching people in running clubs or college runners try to see how long they can maintain that pace. It's usually not for very long.

Rec players are generally fine with their last meal. I usually only bring water to the court. I may bring a bottle of gatorade if I haven't eaten for a day or two.

I take magnesium tablets and get enough electrolytes from that source.
 

happyandbob

Legend
He can run at a 4.6 minutes/mile pace for 2 hours. It's fun watching people in running clubs or college runners try to see how long they can maintain that pace. It's usually not for very long.

Rec players are generally fine with their last meal. I usually only bring water to the court. I may bring a bottle of gatorade if I haven't eaten for a day or two.

I take magnesium tablets and get enough electrolytes from that source.

I ran a marathon in 2001 to check it off my bucket list. when i was 60% done, the course loops near the finish line and they were already interviewing the winner. that guy's heart and lungs were probably 2x the size of mine :-D
 

zaskar1

Professional
Is this something I should be doing? I often find myself with an irresistible craving to drink soy sauce after I make a serious effort to hydrate with water so I'm wondering if that is what I am trying (clumsily) to do.

i perspire a lot, i think i can outdo rafa, too bad i dont play like him. but in the sweat department, i am the champion.
people have recommended pickle juice, eat a bag of salty chips etc etc

when its hot, i usually take electrolyte tablets, specifically Hammer endurolytes extereme. available at most sporting goods places, like
SB or REI, maybe even *****. i use to drink gatorade, but too much sugar. and the diet version tastes like some vile medicine.

so if i remember to take two tablets prior and one every hour during the match, havent cramped up since.
sometime i forget and thats when i cramp up.

i also cramped up after the match, during league play.i use to drink a couple of after the match beers in celebration of winning or drowning the sorrows of defeat.
i use to be "that" guy who drank all the beer.
but with the electrolytes it hasnt happened since.
and now i bring my own beer.

z
 

Yamin

Hall of Fame
3 "banana bags", 2 bananas, jar of pickle juice, 2 Gatorade, 12 bottles water, 2 coconut water, and a "liquid IV" and still couldn't make through my second match in 90 degrees at sectionals. Had to have my teammates scoop me off the ground and concede despite a large lead. 8 hours later I can move without cramping.

How can I do better?
 
3 "banana bags", 2 bananas, jar of pickle juice, 2 Gatorade, 12 bottles water, 2 coconut water, and a "liquid IV" and still couldn't make through my second match in 90 degrees at sectionals. Had to have my teammates scoop me off the ground and concede despite a large lead. 8 hours later I can move without cramping.

How can I do better?
Was this consumed all day of? I sometimes get myself into extremely bad dehydration holes and those generally take 2-3 days to climb out of. It's not something you can force in short time so it starts with building up a strong base in advance.
 

LuckyR

Legend
3 "banana bags", 2 bananas, jar of pickle juice, 2 Gatorade, 12 bottles water, 2 coconut water, and a "liquid IV" and still couldn't make through my second match in 90 degrees at sectionals. Had to have my teammates scoop me off the ground and concede despite a large lead. 8 hours later I can move without cramping.

How can I do better?
Uummm... how long was the match? If it was less than 3 hours and you drank more than average and still ended up dehydrated, you started the match partially dehydrated.
 

finalfantasy7

Semi-Pro
latest video from tennis spin, speaks to a tri athlete:

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so she recommends these two products, anyone tried these, or anyone can read the ingrediants to say if its good/bad - or can you lot link better products.

 

Demented

Semi-Pro
Everyone has a different sodium loss rate. It's combination of how much sodium is in each mg of your sweat and how much sweat you lose. The average person loses around 600 mg per hour but the number can vary wildly. I personally lose about 850 mg per litre and sweat at about 1.5 litres per hour. If you do that math, I need about 2500 mg of sodium per 2 hour match. The highest recorded was nearly 3000 mg per hour rate in a football sweat study.

A standard 20 ounce Gatoraid is only 320 mg of sodium. If you think you have a sodium depletion issue then you should look into a combination of electrolyte tabs and salt pills to add to water.
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
Anyone bought liquid iv hydrstion

I've heard of people going to the ER to get it in my cancer forum but I haven't heard of buying the materials yourself for self-administration or home-administration. It's something that I've seen in movies though. I suppose you could do it if you've had the appropriate medical training.

I've had a lot of IVs as I had cancer in the past and the toughest part was nurses or technicians poking around trying to put a line in. Some were awful at it while the best could do it so that you didn't even feel the needle.
 
Has anyone tried this liquid iv, if so any good, getting alot of attention online.

Link https://www.liquid-iv.com/
Liquid IV has been a game-changer for me.
I used to cramp and/or run out of leg energy toward the end of matches.

Now I sip Liquid IV during changeovers and I feel energetic and balanced throughout my matches.
When I go to Costco I see many fit, athletic-looking men and women pick up the 30-pack Liquid IV.
 

PhxRacket

Hall of Fame
I sugar content aside…it is good for what it does. I have used it on the hot, hard courts of Phoenix in the summer and it keeps the cramping bogeyman away. I prefer other drinks that have less sugar. But I have what’s really is left in my 30 pack for emergencies. I shared a few with my son’s friends on their grad night from university and they were generally happy to have something other than the hair o’ the dog.
 
I did Liquid IV for awhile but have switched to LMNT. Sugar free with a higher sodium concentration. Has been a big help in summer heat, not just during match but in helping me feel fresher the next day.
 
I did Liquid IV for awhile but have switched to LMNT. Sugar free with a higher sodium concentration. Has been a big help in summer heat, not just during match but in helping me feel fresher the next day.
Liquid IV is fine, but I dont like the mouthfeel due to the sugar. LMNT is great, but I typically only use that backpacking to recover. I love the chocolate one for some reason.

Nuun or biosteel for me for tennis.
 

Snipe

Rookie
Liquid IV is fine, but I dont like the mouthfeel due to the sugar. LMNT is great, but I typically only use that backpacking to recover. I love the chocolate one for some reason.

Nuun or biosteel for me for tennis.
We seem to have opposite taste. I purchased 2 Biosteel variety packs, and there's something nasty in it that just never smells / tastes right. My least favorite.

Liquid IV is my current fave, but it's expensive - even when you get a discount at Costco. The VitaCoco powder ain't bad.

Favorite after Liquid IV is Body Armor - but I feel bad buying a bunch of plastic bottles and having that much liquid shipped from an environmental perspective. I'm not crunchy eco warrior by any means, but if it's all the same, I try to conserve when possible.
 

tennis3

Hall of Fame
Drinks during the match have too low of a salt content to make much of a difference (they're the best for hydration, but you asked about salts).
Then why not just add salt? And potassium salt also if desired.

You can google homemade Gatorade recipe. This will give you the base. From there you can do basic ratios to add what you want.

I always make kool aid with extra sugar, salt and potassium salt. Costs about a dime per quart. And tastes good
 
We seem to have opposite taste. I purchased 2 Biosteel variety packs, and there's something nasty in it that just never smells / tastes right. My least favorite.
I have had issues. Their customer service is great though, they will replace any product. I usually buy the powders which are slightly different than the juice boxes. For example the blue one tastes like an otter pop, but the powder version is like the lacroix version where someone just told the powder that is what it was supposed to taste like today. One of my powders came clumpy and tasted off, and another time I got a juice box and it didnt taste like it used to. So it seems to me they definitely are working some quality control issues, which is odd considering they sponsor the NHL, US soccer, and various popular athletes. But since they replace anything, and that has always worked for me, Ill continue to support.
 

tennis3

Hall of Fame
Powerade and Gatorade are not the answer... plain and simple, too much sugar.
Why wouldn't you want fast carbs when exercising and recovering?

My complaint with gatorade is that it doesn't have enough sugar. It's not really a problem. I just add sugar. Or I just make my own with about double the sugar Gatorade uses.
 

LOBALOT

Legend
I agree with @PURETENNISsense actually. One can get better sugars for exercise/recovery than corn syrup / sugar or whatever it is they put in gatorade.

I suspect I am going to get a bunch of science mumbo jumbo next about sugars being the same but I would rather have something natural. Medjool dates or bananas for example are great on change overs.


Our preferred electrolyte mix is Skratch.
 
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Snipe

Rookie
I agree with @PURETENNISsense actually. One can get better sugars for exercise/recovery than corn syrup / sugar or whatever it is they put in gatorade.

I suspect I am going to get a bunch of science mumbo jumbo next about sugars being the same but I would rather have something natural. Medjool dates or bananas for example are great on change overs.


Our preferred electrolyte mix is Scratch.
Heh - my gf just bought us some dates. I think because she saw Novak say they were his favorite match snack. Simple carb, reasonable GI - tasty - and unlike Manouka Honey - they're not like - $300 /oz. What's not to like?
 

tennis3

Hall of Fame
I agree with @PURETENNISsense actually. One can get better sugars for exercise/recovery than corn syrup / sugar or whatever it is they put in gatorade.

I suspect I am going to get a bunch of science mumbo jumbo next about sugars being the same but I would rather have something natural. Medjool dates or bananas for example are great on change overs.


Our preferred electrolyte mix is Scratch.
Whatever works for you and you feel comfortable with.

If I have a high fuel demand (due to activity / exercise), in my opinion, what I want is the very easiest energy source for my body to convert and use quickly. That's sugar. If I'm a more sedentary person, probably best to avoid lots of sugar (and simple carbs in general).

I also see large salt rings on my cap and in my shirt. Pretty good sign that I benefit from drinking salt while I play. So add anywhere from double to triple the salt to my drink as compared to normal Gatorade. But that changes based on how hard I'm playing. If I'm playing doubles, I just mix up the basic Gatorade formula. And drink way more water than Gatorade. I just don't need much extra salt and sugar for a low intensity activity like doubles.
 

tennis3

Hall of Fame



The basic Gatorade recipe for 2 quarts (1 koolaid packet) is

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon potassium salt

Endurance Gatorade is

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon potassium salt

My normal mix is

  • 1 Cup sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon potassium salt
 

LOBALOT

Legend
Whatever works for you and you feel comfortable with.

If I have a high fuel demand (due to activity / exercise), in my opinion, what I want is the very easiest energy source for my body to convert and use quickly. That's sugar. If I'm a more sedentary person, probably best to avoid lots of sugar (and simple carbs in general).

I also see large salt rings on my cap and in my shirt. Pretty good sign that I benefit from drinking salt while I play. So add anywhere from double to triple the salt to my drink as compared to normal Gatorade. But that changes based on how hard I'm playing. If I'm playing doubles, I just mix up the basic Gatorade formula. And drink way more water than Gatorade. I just don't need much extra salt and sugar for a low intensity activity like doubles.

For sure, I am old and was really speaking more for my son as I don't drink electrolyte supplements as I have high BP as it is.

I drink H2O when I play and my recovery drink is beer.

I remember the days when I would play tennis and sweat like that where my hat would have the ring of salt. There is for sure the need for an electrolyte supplement for players that need it so I do not question the need.
 
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tennis3

Hall of Fame
For sure, I am old and my recovery drink is beer.
Impressive!! I'm 50. I used to do this. I actually used to drink beer while I played. Now if I drink beer as a recovery drink, I pay for it for at least the next 24 hours.

I can't get away with any of the bad habits I could when I was even 5 years younger. Recovery takes a lot longer. And if I'm not somewhat careful with what I eat, drink and stretching, recovery takes even longer. I now cramp like crazy at night and while I sleep if I don't hydrate and stretch. It really sucks.
 

LOBALOT

Legend
Impressive!! I'm 50. I used to do this. I actually used to drink beer while I played. Now if I drink beer as a recovery drink, I pay for it for at least the next 24 hours.

I can't get away with any of the bad habits I could when I was even 5 years younger. Recovery takes a lot longer. And if I'm not somewhat careful with what I eat, drink and stretching, recovery takes even longer. I now cramp like crazy at night and while I sleep if I don't hydrate and stretch. It really sucks.

I am not a good role model for sure and my doctor wouldn't hold me up as an example of what to do. I will be 60 in a couple of months.

I should stretch.... Do I? No. I am starting to eat better and have lost 60 lbs between that and playing 5 times a week.

Most of my issues from exercise are arthritis is my joints which I stubbornly gut my way through. For someone my age I think plain old water before, during, and after is probably the best bet. I just like to "supplement" my post-match recovery.
 

LuckyR

Legend
Then why not just add salt? And potassium salt also if desired.

You can google homemade Gatorade recipe. This will give you the base. From there you can do basic ratios to add what you want.

I always make kool aid with extra sugar, salt and potassium salt. Costs about a dime per quart. And tastes good
Two different solutions for two different problems. Every athlete needs hydration, which electrolyte drinks are designed to address. On occasion match length plus conditions plus perhaps not salt loading BEFORE the match can lead to significant salt depletion. That is fixed with salt tabs or pickle juice as electrolyte drinks are too low in salt content to address effectively.
 
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