Football’s heating up
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Florala’s Wildcats take a break during football practice Monday to rehydrate. Ninety-degree-plus weather got here just in time for football practice, Florala head football coach Bubba Nall said he’s making his players take frequent water breaks.
“We’re giving ours three water breaks during the hour and 45-minute practice,” he said. “We’re trying to keep them hydrated. After each break, the players sit in the shade for five minutes to let their bodies recoup. Then after practice, we give them Gatorade. When they go home, we tell them to keep drinking water and Gatorade because it’s important they stay hydrated.”
The American Red Cross lists dry mouth, headache, nausea, vomiting, irritability, tiredness, decreased urination, constipation, dizziness, fever and delirium as symptoms of dehydration.
The National Institute of Medicine recommends that adult males consume 3 liters of fluid per day and that women consume about 2 liters. Those who exercise, work outside or sweat excessively experience extra water loss and create higher fluid needs.