____________________________ runrunrun! // we love running;

Introduction

We want to:

Research on what are isotonic drinks
Conduct a survey to find out whether people think that consuming isotonic drinks is useful when exercising.
Find out when during the exercise should isotonic drinks be consumned for its maximum effect.
Run the experiment
Create a new packaging for a bottle of isotonic drink

Hypothesis

From all the research that we had gathered, we think that consuming isotonic drinks during intervals of exercise will be the most effective as it would allow our body fluids to be released and energy to be distributed to the rest of the body so more exercise can be done over a longer period.

Experiment

Duration of experiment: 60 minutes for each session.
Runners: Audrey & Tiffany
Venue: Jurong East Sports Complex [Gym]
Drink: 500ml of H-2-O Isotonic Drink

1st experiment:

find maximum heart rate of runners

2nd experiment:

runners will be fed with 500 ml, 1 bottle of isotonic drink, H-2-O, an hour before running

3rd experiment:

runners will be fed with 250 ml of isotonic drink every 20 minutes during exercise

4th experiment:

The control experiment. Drink nothing.

Results

By comparing heart rate taken from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th experiment
Drinking isotonic drinks actually helps to maintain the heart rate to be constant

Conclusion

Drinking isotonic drinks for exercise is actually effective, as it maintains the heart rate to be constant
Drinking before or during exercise has the same effect
Therefore drinking before or during exercise is effective

Research Brief

Food technology

Isotonic drinks are used by endurance athletes to replace water loss from perspiration during and after a run.
Dehydration can impair your performance. Isotonic drinks re-hydrate your body more effectively than plain water so it can improve your performance in an endurance event.
Isotonic drinks are preferred to water because they contain carbohydrate and electrolytes like sodium.
The carbohydrate provides necessary fuels to maintain peak performance and enhance post exercise recovery.
When sodium is absorbed into the blood it takes water with it.
This helps replace the sodium lost through sweating and reduces the amount of water excreted from the body.
Isotonic drinks contain electrolytes to aid fluid absorption.

The requirement for Isotonic Drinks

Sweating is a way for the body to maintain its temperature of 37C but will result in the loss of body fluid and electrolytes like calcium, chloride, phosphate, magnesium, sodium and potassium.
If levels of electrolytes are not replenished, it could lead to dehydration.
Electrolytes are essential minerals to help control the osmosis of water between different body compartments.
During exercise carbohydrate stores in the body is depleted gradually and if not restocked will result in reduced performance.

The Absorbtion of Fluid

Isotonic drinks with carbohydrate level of 8% are disposed from the stomach at the same rate as water. (The higher the carbohydrate level, the slower the rate the stomach empties)
Sodium will reduce the urine output and encourage fluid retention.
Drinking plain water can be a poor choice as a high fluid intake is necessary, as it contains none of the carbohydrates or electrolytes that promote a more rapid recovery after strenuous exercise.

Sports Drinks

Continued exercise wonât deplete muscle glycogen as fast.
Performance time will be lengthened.
Reduce recovery time by rapidly restoring muscle glycogen after exercise.
Beneficial when exercising in high heat or humidity because it enhances fluid enhancement
Helpful before, during and after exercise
Formulated to restore the essential fluids, minerals and energy your body loses during exercise.
Carbohydrate concentration and sodium combination assures rapid hydration and improved performance.

Recommendations when taking a Sports Beverage.

Before Exercise:
1. drink 8 to 24 ounces of sports beverage before exercising or
2. drink at least 4 to 8 ounces immediately before exercise.
During Exercise:
1. drink 4 to 8 ounces of sports beverage every 15-20 minutes after the first 30 minutess of exercise.
After Exercise:
1. drink at least 8 to 16 ounces of fluid after exercise. (Drink 2 cups of fluid for every pound lost after exercise.)
2. consume or drink 40-60 grams of carbohydrate as soon as possible or within the first 30mins after exercise, and at 2 hours intervals up to 4 hours after exercise.

Survey

Gender M/F
Age?
1. 12-18
2. 19-25
3. 26-35
4. 36 & above
How often do you exercise?
1. 3 or more times a week
2. 1-2 times a week
3. once every 2 weeks
4. once a month
5. never
How long do you exercise for each session?
1. 3 hours or more
2. 2 hours
3. 1 hour
4. less than an hour
What kind of exercise are you engaged in? [may choose more than one]
1. swimming
2. running/jogging
3. cycling
4. others(please specify) _____________
What form of liquid do you drink when you exercise?
1. Isotonic drink (H20, 100+, Gatorade,..)
2. Energy drink (milo, red bull,..)
3. Water
4. Nothing
Have you tried isotonic drinks before?
1. Yes (continue)
2. No (end here)
When do you drink it? [may choose more than one]
1. Before exercise
2. During exercise
3. After exercise
Do you think it is effective? Y/N