| Competitive
tennis is typically played in warm and hot environments. Because hypohydration
will impair tennis performance and increases the risk of heat injury,
consumption of appropriate fluid levels is necessary to prevent dehydration
and enhance performance. The majority of research in this area has
focused on continuous aerobic activity - unlike tennis, which has
average points lasting less than ten seconds with rest periods dispersed
between each work period. For this reason, hydration and temperature
regulation methods need to be specific to the activity. Tennis players
can sweat more than 2.5 L·h-1 and replace fluids at a slower rate
during matches than in practice. Latter stages of matches and tournaments
are when tennis players are more susceptible to temperature and hydration
related problems. Sodium (Na+) depletion, not potassium (K+), is a
key electrolyte in tennis related muscle cramps. However, psychological
and competitive factors also contribute. CHO drinks have been shown
to promote fluid absorption to a greater degree than water alone,
but no performance benefits have been shown in tennis players in short
matches. It is advisable to consume a CHO beverage if practice or
matches are scheduled longer than 90-120 minutes.
KEY
WORDS: Dehydration, heat stress, body temperature, electrolytes.
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