www. interrnou nta inpower.com

March 2020 Brian Coles, Health Analyst Volum e 322

March is National Athletic Trainer Month

IPSC has a common interest in employee health asmany major companies in the United States. Someof these companies include: Allison Engine, Coca-Cola, Dana Corporation, Delta Faucet, Daimer-Chrysler, Dupont, FedEx, Frito-Lay, GE, GM, JohnDeere, Kodak, Johnson and Johnsoh, Nike, U.S.Marine Corps and U.S. Navy. Each of thesecompanies employee a full-time athletic trainer tohelp their employees with the same level of careprovided to collegiate and professional athletes. lnadditioh, IPSC offers athletic trainer services totheir employees spouses, and children for free.1

Athletic trainers are not personal trainers. Athletictrainers specialize in all things sports medicine.The National Athletic Trainers' Association confirmsthat, "There is virtually no difference between anoccupational athlete and sports athlete. The skillsathletic trainers use in returning an athlete to playare the same skills used to return an employeeback to work."1 The article continues, "AthleticTrainers are impacting change in health care.Together with doctors, coaches, schooladministrators, military leaders, governmentofficials, performing arts, organizations andlegislators, Athletic Trainers are reshaping howinjuries are treated and more importantly,prevented. The future of health care requiresaction before, during, and after an injury. AthleticTrainer's impact health care through action."2

Athletic trainers are not new. Their profession hasbeen organized since 1950 in the U.S., butpracticing long before that. If you have everwatched professional or college sports events andwitnessed an injury, you have seen an athletictrainer at work.

Athletic trainers are the only health care providerwho receives their primary training at teamfacilities. Athletic trainers help athletes when theyare injured at the time of the injury on the playingfield or on the sideline. Trainers have the

knowledge and skills to help athletes with rehaband return to the highest level of competition.

The world's best athletes trust athletic trainers withtheir careers. IPSC provides that same service toits employees and their families for free!

Sources1 . www. nata.orq/athletictrainers oet results with occuoational athletes.20062. https ://www. n ata. o rqln atio n al -ath I etic-trai n i n o - mo nth -poste rs

Water and Function

The human body is made up of 55 percent to 80percent of water. Water supports and provides

many functions in the bodysuch os, an insulator,lubricant, and temperatureregulator. lt aids inswallowirg, metabolism,digestion, and shockabsorption. Water plays animportant role in thefunction of most systems inthe body. This is why it isimportant to stay hydrated.

Thirst

We have often heard that when a person is thirstyhe/she is already dehydrated. This is true.Typically the body will lose a significant amount offluid before the thirst mechanism kicks in-up tothree percent of the total water makeup. Mentalconfusion and physical performance begin todiminish with a loss of only one percent of totalbody fluids.

Dehydration

Studies have shown that women with milddehydration have an increase in perception of taskdifficulty and diminished concentration. Men havesubtle mental difficulties when dehydrated.

The following list will help individuals understandwhy he/she may feel a certain way at times.

Dehydration leads to:o Moodinesso Concentration difficultyo Headacheso Fatigueo Constipation and

digestive disorderso Angero High Blood Pressureo High Cholesterolo Acid-Alkaline imbalanceo Asthma. Allergies. Weight Gaino Skin Disorderso Joint Paino Joint Stiffnesso Bladder problemso Kidney problemso Premature agingo Degenerative joint diseaseo Degenerative disc diseaseo lnsomnia

Water plays a vital role in many functions. Whenpeople are dehydrated they don't feel well. To stayhappy, drink more water.

Muscle tissue contains more water than othertissues ln the body. Scientists believe this is due tothe amount of energy the body stores. Musclesstore glycogen and glycogen cells contain about 75percent water. Fat cells contain only about tenpercent water. This indicates thatdehydration has less impact onfat cells than on other systemsin the body

Fatigue

Fatigue is a major issuefor many people. The bodyneeds water to function properly. People who aretired all the time do not relate tiredness todehydration. VUhen a person is dehydrated, thereis less blood flow to the organs, muscles, brain, andcells. Less blood flow results in lower oxygenlevels and lower nutrients that produce energy.

Often when fatigued, we think our body needs moreenergy. This leads to the consumption of extracalories that are not needed. We also tend to seek

out drinks (caffeinated soft drinks and energydrinks) that stimulate the body.

Caffeine improves alertness and concentration. ltstimulates the brain to produce adrenalin and givesa burst of stimulation. Caffeine does nothing toproduce more energy because it is chemicalreaction verses energy production. After the initialboost, our heart rate rises and blood pressureincreases and that leads to greater fatigue. Toooften stimulants are used to boost energy when allthat is needed is a one or two percent increase ofwater in the body to help us feel better and toprevent or remove a fatigued state.

Sourceswww. hea lt h ca re-o n I i ne. o rqlB od v-Wate r- Pe rce ntaoe. h t m I

Man, D. Even Mild Dehydration May Cause Emotional, PhysicalP ro b I e ms, h tt o ://www. we b m d . c o m/w o m e n/n ewsl2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0/e ve n - m i I d -

de hvdration-mav-cau se-emotional-phvsical-problems#1http ://www.waterbenef its health. com/svm ptom s-of-chronic-dehvdration.htmlhttp://wvnr.livestronq.com/article/550931 -does-muscle-tissue-have-less-water-tha n-f at-tissue/htt p s ://wate r. u sq s. qo v/ed u/p ro pe rtwo u . htm I

OUTAGE TENSION and STAYHYDRATED INIATIVE

lmprove your health, have more energy, functionbetter and be happier. Join the OUTAGETENSION and STAY HYDRATED INITIATIVE (forall employees and spouses). lt is proven to work.The program is to stretch or warm up for 15minutes each morning. Complete 30 days andstay hydrated each day.

Stav hvdrated durinq the dav. lf you have cottonmouth, dry lips, oI dark yellow urine at half waythrough the shift, do not count that day. The goal isto hydrate early. Complete 30 days.

Every one that completes the program will receivea gift card and have his/her name entered in adrawing.