1. Rehydration is a major part of the recovery process after exercise, but little attention has been focused on the need to adequately rehydrate in order to optimally perform during subsequent exercise bouts. 2. It is well established that performance of exercise in a dehydrated state is impaired, and that both high-intensity and endurance activities are affected. There is also an increased risk of heat illness in individuals who begin exercise in a dehydrated state. 3. Rehydration requires replacement of body water loss, but ingestion of plain water is not an effective way to achieve a euhydrated state. Drinks should contain moderately high levels of sodium and possibly some potassium. Ingestion of large volumes of electrolyte-free drinks causes a fall in plasma osmolality that suppresses the drive to drink, and also stimulates urine production. 4. To surmount ongoing obligatory urine losses, the volume consumed should be greater than the volume of sweat lost. Palatability of beverages is an important factor in stimulating drinking.
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