Create a brief set of practical counseling points for an endurance athlete to minimize the risk of exercise-associated hyponatremia during long events.

• A. Consume large amounts of potassium salt substitute during exercise to offset sodium loss because potassium will prevent hyponatremia more effectively than sodium.
• B. Avoid all electrolyte-containing beverages and drink only plain water in large quantities during events to prevent any electrolyte imbalances, relying on post-event snacks for mineral replacement.
• C. Drink to thirst rather than a fixed schedule, include electrolyte-containing sports drinks (not plain water) during prolonged exercise, monitor body weight changes during training to estimate fluid needs, and replace sodium-containing sweat losses appropriately.
• D. Fast for 24 hours before the event to reduce extracellular volume and thereby eliminate the possibility of diluting sodium during exercise.

Answer: (C)