Hydration Strategies for Athletes with Disabilities

Water provides several benefits to the body including protecting our nervous system and joints, maintaining normal body temperatures, and getting rid of wastes. Being adequately hydrated is especially important for all athletes including those with disabilities. During exercise and sport, we lose water from sweating and breathing. Sweating is a means for the body to prevent overheating. Additionally, athletes who have been training for a while sweat more and quicker than untrained athletes, as they are more efficient at managing their body temperature. In addition to losing water during physical activity, we also lose important electrolytes, such as sodium, which we need to maintain proper bodily functioning. With that being said, so many other variables can influence how much we sweat during physical activity. Some of these include the temperature, humidity, duration of activity, intensity of activity, clothing, etc. Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities often have additional risk factors that increase their risk of dehydration such as a lower thirst sensation and appetite, conditions that increase nausea and vomiting, and oral health issues that can impair their ability to meet fluid intake requirements.