Answer :
The athlete should have consumed approximately 80 fl oz of fluid to replenish the 32 fl oz lost through sweat and maintain proper hydration during the 2-hour practice, in accordance with hydration guidelines.
The question concerns how much fluid an athlete should have consumed during a 2-hour practice session after losing 2 lbs and consuming 20 fl oz of fluid. To calculate this, we can consider the weight loss as a result of dehydration through sweat. Since 1 pound of body weight is generally accepted as equivalent to about 16 fl oz (1 pint) of water, losing 2 lbs would equate to 32 fl oz. Therefore, to maintain hydration, the athlete should have consumed the lost fluid in addition to their normal hydration needs.
According to the guidelines, half an ounce to one ounce of water per pound of body weight is optimal, which means for a 145-pound individual, between 72.5 and 145 fl oz per day is recommended. Considering this athlete's 2-hour practice and the general advice that an athlete should drink 1 cup (which is 8 fl oz) every 20 minutes during strenuous activity, the athlete should have consumed around 48 fl oz over the 2-hour session. Combined with the 32 fl oz lost, this would mean the athlete should ideally have consumed approximately 80 fl oz during the practice to replenish fluid loss and maintain optimal hydration.
