Friday, August 12, 2005

Over hydration kills cyclist

A District of Columbia bike patrol officer died Wednesday apparently of hyponatremia according to the Washington Post. Doctors believe that hyponatremia, a sodium imbalance caused by drinking excessive amounts of fluid, probably caused or contributed to the death of Officer James McBride. McBride consumed as much as three gallons of water during and after the 12-mile training ride Tuesday morning, police said.

Everybody knows the importance of drinking water during heavy excercise. This emphasis on hydration, however, has led to to increase in incidences of hyponatremia, which can kill the endurance athlete. Read guidance on hyponatremia and dehydration from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

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