The Gatorade Company has partnered with several top professional athletes for the Gatorade Beat the Heat educational campaign, focusing on the importance of hydration, especially during summer months.
In its 12th year, Gatorade Beat the Heat again teamed up with league partners, including the NFL and NBA, in an effort to raise awareness among athletes, parents and coaches on how proper hydration can help reduce heat-related illnesses during athletic activity.
“Athletes don’t always fully comprehend how dehydration can negatively impact performance, nor what an appropriate hydration strategy looks like,” said Dr. James Carter, Director of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI). “Through the Beat the Heat program and the help of our partners, we are able to educate athletes, parents and coaches about the importance of proper hydration and what safety measures to consider while active in the heat.”
Throughout the summer, professional athletes including Eli Manning, DeMarco Murray and Emmanuel Sanders will visit youth sports camps to spread their heat safety message. In addition, star athletes J.J. Watt, Karl-Anthony Towns, and others will share their hot environment and hydration tips through unique videos on Gatorade’s YouTube page.
“When you sweat, you lose more than just water,” said J.J. Watt, Houston Texans defensive end. “So we need to replace that, we need to get you ready to go for the next day and we need to get you ready to continue your workout so you can be at your best.”
“It’s the responsibility of athletes, coaches, parents and trainers to closely monitor the warning signs of dehydration and heat-related illness,” said Bryan Snyder, Denver Broncos Director of Team Nutrition. “Beyond simple hydration, drinks that contain electrolytes to help retain and regulate fluids are very important. Additionally, the consumption of carbohydrates found in sports drinks can help an athlete’s performance.”
