WHICH TEAM IS DRINKING THE MOST?
Water Wellpoint stresses the importance of hydration on and off the pitch
for the Six Nations Championship

The start of the Six Nations Championship has already seen some outstanding performances - and some performances best forgotten.  With this weekend's events starting on Friday evening at the Stade de France as Wales cross the channel and Saturday seeing Ireland v England and Scotland v Italy, rugby fans everywhere will be hoping their team has the extra edge needed to carry home the trophy. However, innovative wellbeing organisation, Water Wellpoint*, believes that a key factor that could make the difference between success and failure is the level of hydration in each team - and there could be some important lessons to learn from this in business too.

"Hydration is an important aspect in maintaining peak performance in the preparation for and recovery from physically demanding sports like rugby, but it also helps workers perform to the best of their abilities," explains Colin Wilson, Research Scientist, Water Wellpoint. "Dehydration is the loss of water essential for body function, which occurs when more liquids are lost than taken in. A loss of these liquids can impair concentration, motor speed, eye coordination and short term memory.

"The Irish Rugby Union states that players can lose as much as 3 to 4 kilograms during the course of a game and up to 2 kilograms just in training [1]. Players can quickly become dehydrated, which will have a negative impact on their performance on the pitch, as well as their recovery, after a match. Our own analysis of research supports this, showing that just 1% dehydration reduces concentration by 12% and during a high pressure game, this can make all the difference."

Water also has a role to play in reducing the risk of brain damage after head injuries on the sports field. Recent research shows that dehydration leads to changes in the volume of compartments within the skull.  By drinking enough fluids, sports players can protect their brain, as well as their bodies [2].

Water Wellpoint is a business that focuses on hydration and its importance for wellbeing at and during work.  Central to the Water Wellpoint's activities is its unique interactive health kiosk, the Water Wellpoint.  This enables employees to increase their own awareness of their vital signs and overall health and wellbeing and then set their own health goals.  The Water Wellpoint allows individuals to self-test themselves at work using six key indicators of their general health. These include weight, hydration quota, body mass index, body fat content, heart rate and blood pressure and all can be measured simply and accurately in around five minutes.

A confidential print-out of results is provided to the individual showing how they compare with accepted medical standards. The Water Wellpoint offers a quick and easy early-warning system for potential problems, as well as a way for each individual to highlight areas they can work on to improve their personal health and wellbeing. The health kiosk can easily be taken into businesses to help them engage with staff and encourage them to play an active role in their own wellbeing.

Wilson concludes, "Whilst head injuries may be less common in the boardroom than on the rugby field, the need for good hydration, to maintain good decision making, is equally crucial. And the Water Wellpoint can provide businesses with an effective means of helping their staff stay adequately hydrated and perform to the best of their abilities."

* Wellpoint is a registered trademark solely owned by the Wellpoint Group Limited

1. See for example http://www.irishrugby.ie/9501_483.php
2. The effects of dehydration on brain volume - preliminary results', International Journal of Sports Medicine 2005; 26:481-485

For an interview with Colin Wilson or further press information please contact the Water Wellpoint Press Office at HSL:
Maddy Roles/Louise Fowler/Wendy Harrison - 020 8977 9132
maddy@harrisonsadler.com