Until the 1970s, athletes were advised not to drink liquids during sports activities. We now know that this can impede performance and can sometimes even be harmful to health. The Nestlé Water Institute has developed a computer program designed specifically to maintain optimal levels of hydration during exercise and strives to raise athletes’ awareness of the essential role of good hydration before and after exertion.

Known as “HydraOpt”, this program calculates the water consumption and nutrients needed to maintain the level of performance. Its design is based on an analysis of data supplied by some 1,200 athletes in a dozen disciplines. Among the sport-specific programs now available on the www.hydraopt.com site are running, handball, basketball, cycling and tennis. HydraOpt offers individualised hydration programs that take into account physiological data (age, weight, height) and parameters linked to physical effort (length and intensity of effort, room temperature and humidity).