EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY ELECTROLYTE MANAGEMENT

摘要

The present invention provides methods for maintaining electrolyte balance and hydration in a person habituated to strenuous physical exertion by assaying perspiration generated by the person under conditions of strenuous physical exertion to determine the volume of perspiration as a function of duration of exertion and the sodium content of the person's perspiration during strenuous physical exertion. The person is assigned to one of a plurality of groups of individuals, each group differing in the amount of sodium present in the perspiration during strenuous physical exertion of individuals assigned to that group. The person is provided after a period of strenuous physical activity a rehydration solution designed for individuals assigned to the group to which the person is assigned. The rehydration solution being provided is in an amount comprising from about 50 volume percent to about 125 volume percent of the amount of perspiration generated by the person over the time period, having from about 75 percent to about 125 percent by weight of the sodium content of the perspiration generated by the person over the time period, and the solution having at least about 75 percent by weight of chloride compared to the chloride content of the perspiration generated by the person over the time period. The present invention also provides for a set of unitary dosage rehydration compositions, each member of the set comprising sodium and chloride wherein the weight percentage of sodium in each member of the set differing from the weight percentage of sodium in the other members of the set by at least about 20 percent, the weight percentage of chloride in each member of the set exceeding the weight percentage of sodium in that member by at least about 40 percent and each member of the set being perceptually labeled to distinguish that member from the other members of the set by one of the human senses.