Hydration is crucial for every athlete, but for triathletes - who balance three demanding disciplines - staying hydrated can make or break performance. And when you add a condition like Crohn’s disease, as elite British triathlete Siân Rainsley knows firsthand, maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance becomes even more critical.
At Sküma, we’re proud to support Siân, who combines elite-level performance with advocacy for Crohn’s awareness. Here’s what we learned about how she, and other top triathletes, approach hydration.
Meet Siân Rainsley
Siân is a professional triathlete who has represented Great Britain on the international stage, including a standout performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and numerous podiums on the World Triathlon Championship Series.
Her discipline, drive, and commitment to long-term health have made her a rising star in endurance sport. Since June, Siân has integrated Sküma Water into her daily routine, helping her maintain full control over her hydration- critical both for performance and for managing her Crohn’s symptoms.
“I chose Sküma as I wanted more control over my water and its impact on my hydration. Having pure water accessible at home was the natural step for this” - Siân
1. Why Hydration Is Critical for Triathletes
- Triathletes face unique hydration challenges: long training sessions across three disciplines, fluctuating environments, and continuous sweat loss. Research shows even 2% dehydration can reduce endurance performance and cognitive function (Casa et al., 2010).
- Siân maintains her electrolyte levels with precise hydration strategies, balancing water with minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium to avoid cramps and fatigue with MYBases
2. Managing Crohn’s Disease Through Better Hydration
- For those with Crohn’s disease, dehydration risk is higher due to increased intestinal fluid loss. Hydration also plays a role in reducing inflammation and maintaining healthy digestion.
- A 2021 study in Gastroenterology Nursing noted that targeted fluid and electrolyte intake can ease GI symptoms and improve quality of life.
- Siân's approach - using only clean, remineralised water - avoids additives and irritants found in many bottled or tap waters.
3. Controlling Inputs, Controlling Performance
- Siân's health-first mindset means she pays close attention to everything she consumes - down to the specific mineral content of her water.
- She uses Sküma to ensure her hydration is clean, filtered, and precisely tailored. That level of control is essential not just for those managing gut health, but for anyone looking to perform at their best without risking imbalance or bloat.
4. Smart Hydration Isn’t Just for Pros
- You don’t need to be an Olympian to benefit from Siân's routine. Whether you’re training for a 5K, hitting the gym, or managing a chronic condition, hydration is your foundation.
- Studies have shown that hydration improves sleep, mood, metabolic function, and focus - essential components of any active lifestyle (Ganio et al., 2011).
Want to hydrate like Siân? Sküma’s all-in-one countertop system purifies your water, then rebuilds it with performance-focused minerals - so you know exactly what’s going in your body.
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Citations
- Casa, D.J. et al. (2010). National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: Fluid Replacement for Athletes. J Athl Train.
- Ganio, M.S. et al. (2011). Mild dehydration impairs cognitive performance and mood in men. Br J Nutr.
- Han, S.W. & Ryu, J.H. (2021). The Role of Fluid Management in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Gastroenterology Nursing
