Final answer:
A female athlete should consume at least 2.27 liters of fluid to replace the 5 pounds lost during a race, which is the equivalent of about nine 8-ounce cups, to rehydrate properly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns how much fluid a female athlete should consume after losing weight due to a race. Since the athlete weighs 5 pounds less after the race, equivalent to the amount of fluid lost, she should rehydrate by consuming fluids. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that sports drinks contain 125 milligrams of sodium per 8 ounces to aid in rehydration. In addition, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) suggests an Adequate Intake (AI) of 2.7 liters (11 cups) of water daily for adult females, which includes all dietary sources. Considering this information, the athlete should consume at least 5 pounds (2.27 kg) of fluid, which equates to approximately 2.27 liters (about nine 8-ounce cups), assuming 1 pound of weight loss equates to 16 ounces of fluid. This is the minimum she should consume, and she should consider taking in additional fluids to ensure full rehydration.