CHCS Perspectives Summer/Fall 2013

PERSPECTIVES • SUMMER-FALL 2013 – Page 32 study was concluded and published in the prestigious, peer-reviewed Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise journal— a publication of the American College of Sports Medicine. The study was conducted with basketball players and involved evaluating the possible effects of dehydrating on vigilance capability (whether or not one can recognize an event taking place; how fast can the recognition take place; and how fast can a proper response be made). In other words: “I see a car coming at me. How fast will I recognize that this is not a good thing and then how fast can I decide what to do—and then how fast can I do it?” The premise being that the dehy- drated state may not only negatively im- pact one’s physical performance, but perhaps the cognitive capability is also negatively impacted. The results of this study, which was conducted at the very reputable Department of Kinesiology at Pennsylvania State University, indicated that, indeed, the dehydrated state does im- pede “split second cognitive functioning.” It seems to me that while the study was done with basketball players because of the speed at which the game is played and the speed at which skilled players are sup- posed to make decisions and react appro- priately, the dehydrating effect on vigilance capability would be similar on other activi- ties as well. For example, baseball revolves around what I (arguably) feel is the most difficult operation in the world of sports— and that, as many might agree, is the at- tempt to read a pitch and then direct one round surface to collide with another round surface at the most optimum spot of each surface, for the best possible con- trol over the result—meaning the direc- tion, distance, and speed of the ball when hit. Adding to this challenge is the pitcher having the ability to throw the ball with a variety of speeds, in a variety of pathways (overhead curve, side-arm curve, drop ball, knuckle ball, etc.). The batter has ap- proximately 0.4 of a second to size up the situation and then make a decision and react with the bat. The bottom line is the researchers sug- gest that while most coaches, managers, and players are aware of the importance of hydrating, and the effect on fatigue and physical comfort, most are not aware of the effect on brain performance. We tend to push hydration, but not in a routine fashion. Many times an athlete will not feel the necessity to take in water, even during timeouts or so-called water breaks. Perhaps we should direct water intake to become more of a rhythm/routine operation so the athlete should be directed to take in water at proper or dedicated intervals, whether or not he or she feels the desire to take in A Robert Grosz, Ed.D., Professor, Fort Lauderdale Physician Assistant Program Water...