Tim Noakes has been talking about the over-hydration problem for a while.
It isn't clear to me how big a problem it really is. His recommendation of 400-800ml per hour for all endurance athletes isn't exactly controversial. In cycling lore the advice is 1 bidon/hour, which is around 600ml.
It's true that his advice against sodium supplementation doesn't suit sports drinks companies, but I don't think this is controversial from a sports-science point of view either. Sodium/electrolyte replacement drinks are unlikely to be harmful, and there is some evidence that some people find them easier to drink when exercising hard.
It isn't clear to me how big a problem it really is. His recommendation of 400-800ml per hour for all endurance athletes isn't exactly controversial. In cycling lore the advice is 1 bidon/hour, which is around 600ml.
It's true that his advice against sodium supplementation doesn't suit sports drinks companies, but I don't think this is controversial from a sports-science point of view either. Sodium/electrolyte replacement drinks are unlikely to be harmful, and there is some evidence that some people find them easier to drink when exercising hard.