"Evidence for the effects of hydration status in prolonged exercise performance comes from many different lines of investigation. When exercise lasts more than about 40–60 min, performance can be improved by ingesting water or carbohydrate, and the effects of the two are independent and additive [20]. Many other studies, often less well-controlled, have produced similar results. The evidence that ingesting plain water is effective is, perhaps, less conclusive than the evidence for a beneficial effect of dilute carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks [21]. It is not easy to be sure, however, that the carbohydrate in this case is playing a metabolic role, though some of it is undoubtedly oxidized [22]. An alternative explanation may be that adding small amounts of carbohydrate can promote water absorption in the small intestine, thus providing more effective rehydration. When the time scale is short, as in exercise lasting less than a couple of hours, ingested fluid will be effective only if it is emptied rapidly from the stomach and absorbed rapidly in the small intestine. For this reason, concentrated carbohydrate solutions may be ineffective as they may promote transient net secretion in the small intestine, resulting in a temporary loss of body water into the small intestine [21]."
That sounds to me like he is advocating sports drinks, even to the point of recommending specific concentrations of carbohydrate to water ratios. Now, maybe I'm being paranoid, but I'd be willing to bet that Gatorade is diluted just perfectly.
Again, I'm not saying that any of this study is unscientific or untrue, just playing devil's advocate.