Exercise physiology electrolyte management

A method for maintaining electrolyte balance and hydration in a person habituated to strenuous physical exertion comprising;

• a. determining total sodium loss of the person during a time period of strenuous physical exertion;
• b. providing to the person after the period of strenuous physical activity a rehydration solution, said solution comprising
• i. from about 75 percent to about 125 percent by weight of the sodium loss by the person over the time period;
• ii. less than 1 percent potassium compared to the weight of sodium;
• and
• iii. at least about 75 percent chloride by weight of the chloride content of the perspiration generated by the person over the time period.

A method for maintaining electrolyte balance and hydration in a person habituated to strenuous physical exertion comprising:

• a. assaying perspiration generated by the person under conditions of strenuous physical exertion to determine
• i. volume of perspiration as a function of duration of exertion;
• and
• ii. sodium content of the perspiration
• b. assaying urine generated by the person during strenuous physical exertion to determine
• i. volume of urine lost and
• ii. sodium content of the urine;
• c. determining a total loss of sodium by the person over the time period;
• d. assigning the person to one of a plurality of groups, each group differing in the amount of sodium present in the perspiration and urine of individuals assigned to the group;
• and
• e. providing to the person after a period of strenuous physical activity a rehydration solution
• i. in an amount comprising from about 50 volume percent to about 100 volume percent of the amount of perspiration generated by the person over the time period;
• ii. said solution having from about 85 percent to about 115 percent of total loss of sodium by the person over the time period;
• and
• iii. said 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.

A method for maintaining electrolyte balance and hydration in a person habituated to strenuous physical exertion comprising:

• a. assaying perspiration generated by the person under conditions of strenuous physical exertion to determine
• i. volume of perspiration as a function of duration of exertion;
• and
• ii. sodium content of the perspiration
• b. determining the dietary intake of sodium by the person;
• c. determining a total loss of sodium by the person over the time period;
• d. assigning the person to one of a plurality of groups, each group differing in the amount of sodium present in the perspiration and the dietary intake of individuals assigned to the group;
• and
• e. providing to the person after a period of strenuous physical activity a rehydration solution
• i. 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;
• ii. said solution having from about 85 percent to about 115 percent of the total loss of sodium by the person over the time period;
• and
• iii. said 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.

A method for maintaining electrolyte balance and hydration in a collection of persons, each of whom is habituated to strenuous physical exertion comprising:

• a. assaying perspiration generated by each person of the group under conditions of strenuous physical exertion to determine
• i. volume of perspiration as a function of duration of exertion;
• and
• ii. sodium content of the perspiration
• b. assigning each person to one of a plurality of groups, each group differing in the amount of sodium present in the perspiration of individuals assigned to the group;
• and
• c. providing to at least some of the persons after a period of strenuous physical activity a rehydration solution
• i. in an amount comprising from 50 volume percent to 125 volume percent of the amount of perspiration generated by the person over the time period;
• ii. said solution having from about 75 percent to about 125 percent of the sodium content of the perspiration generated by the person over the time period;
• iii. said solution having at least about 110 percent by weight of chloride compared to the chloride content of the perspiration generated by the person over the time period.

A set of unitary dosage rehydration compositions, each member of the set comprising sodium and chloride;

• a. the weight percentage of sodium in each member of the set differing from the weight percentage of sodium in the other members by a difference such that the distribution of the members of the set sufficiently populate the set;
• b. 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
• c. 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.