True or False: Students lose water and electrolytes when they sweat.

The correct response indicates that students do indeed lose water and electrolytes when they sweat. Sweat is primarily composed of water, but it also contains various salts and minerals, such as sodium and potassium. When a person engages in physical activity, their body temperature rises, prompting the sweat glands to produce sweat as a cooling mechanism. As sweat evaporates from the skin, it results in the loss of both water and electrolytes, which are crucial for maintaining hydration and supporting various bodily functions.

Understanding this physiological process is important for coaches and athletes alike. It emphasizes the need for proper hydration and electrolyte replenishment during and after physical activities, especially in environments where heat and humidity can increase sweat loss. Failure to replace these fluids can lead to dehydration and impair athletic performance. Thus, recognizing that sweating leads to the loss of both water and electrolytes is essential in any coaching or athletic training context.