Water versus Sports Drinks: Which is Better?

This has been one of the hottest summers on record and staying hydrated is extremely important when you are trying to beat the dog days of summer.  I get asked a lot of questions about the best way to stay hydrated; what should I be drinking, are sports drinks like Gatorade or PowerAde better to drink than water when it’s really hot.  The simple answer is no.  Unless you are an elite level athlete who has a team of scientist monitoring your fluid and electrolyte balances, you can pass on the sports drinks. 

Parents, if your kids are playing outside in the heat, give them popsicles and Kool-aid.  A little sugar isn’t going to hurt them and that’s the same thing that is in the popular sports drinks.  You can freeze bananas or give them watermelon, mango, or other juicy fruits.  This is not just for kids; you can do the same thing for yourself, as well.  Even with the heat, if you drink water consistently throughout the day and have some salty and sweet snacks, you should be ok. 

If you are participating in strenuous activities or sporting events lasting over 60 minutes, than it is ok to add in some sports drinks at a 2:1 water to sports drink ratio.  This is more important for activities that will cover multiple hours or multiple days; like soccer or baseball tournaments.  You do not have to have sports drinks though, you can still supplement with popsicles and snacks with the same effect. 

Sports drink companies do a very good job at marketing their products to make us think that we need them to perform at our optimum level, but quite frankly, the average person does not need them.  Sports drinks boast that they have electrolytes and that is what we need to perform at our highest level and I don’t disagree with their claims about the importance of electrolytes.  Electrolytes are in important component to our hydration status, but we don’t need to rely on sports drinks for them.  Sports drinks generally have 20-35 grams of sugar and while they do have some essential electrolytes like sodium and potassium, but we can get our essential electrolytes through what we eat without the large quantity of sugar.   

At the end of the day, drinking water and having some snacks throughout the day will be more beneficial than sports drinks from a hydration stand point and it is the more cost effective option.

By: Benjamin Davis, Rehab Trainer, DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan

Ms. Wheelchair Michigan to visit DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan

On Wednesday, July 18, the Detroit Medical Center’s Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan will welcome Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2012, Stephanie Deible.

Deible, 21, from Grant, Michigan, was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan on March 3. She has cerebral palsy and has been an advocate for people with disabilities since she was in high school.  Last year, Deible drew media attention after she was advised to leave a bridal boutique and denied access to a fitting room because of her wheelchair. She contacted area TV stations to bring awareness to discrimination issues she and others face.

As Ms. Wheelchair Michigan, Deible travels across the state, visits advocacy groups and makes public appearances to create awareness, acceptance and understanding of disabilities to the general public.

While at DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM), Deible will be meeting and speaking to newly disabled patients and their families.

“I want to encourage people with disabilities to overcome any obstacles they may face. At the same time, I’ll use my title as a tool to educate society about disabilities and about being in a chair,” says Deible.

When she is not traveling the state as Ms. Wheelchair Michigan, Deible attends Grand Valley State University where she is majoring in journalism and will graduate in December. After graduation she hopes to pursue a master’s in sports management.

Deible will compete for the title of Ms. Wheelchair America 2013 in Rhode Island, August 6-12, 2012. Her platform in the competition is focused on empowering youth with disabilities to set and achieve their goals.

The pageant is not a beauty contest; instead the abilities, endeavors and achievements of women who use wheelchairs are recognized and honored in this annual pageant.

If you are interested in more information about the Ms. Wheelchair Michigan, Inc. organization please visit http://www.mswheelchairmichigan.org/