The Importance of Proper Hydration for Young Athletes

The importance of keeping well hydrated is often underestimated.

Good Hydration allows your child to train and compete at a high

intensity. It also protects against cramping and heat illnesses.

Dehydration can hinder your child's performance and possibly lead to injury.  

Signs of dehydration include fatigue, muscle cramping, dizziness,

nausea and/or headache.  If any of these symptoms occur have your

child stop, rest and drink fluids.

Adequate hydration is important to prevent dehydration.

Since thirst is not an accurate indicator of fluid need athletes 

should drink before they become thirsty. As the weather gets warmer

and outside training begins your child's risk of dehydration

increases.  A good practice to incorporate into your athletes day 

is a drink schedule.  Staying hydrated before, during and after soccer 

practice and or a game is extremely important.  

Here are some tips to help keep you child properly hydrated:

* Four hours prior to practice/game consume 8-16 oz fluid

* Two hours prior practice/game consume 4-12 oz fluid

* During practice/game continuously sip fluids

* After practice/game consume up to 20 oz fluid. 

Water is usually the best choice for staying hydrated.  Although 

sports drinks are a good choice when your child is

practicing for over and hour, competing in soccer tournaments

or on very hot days where your child may be sweating more then usual.

Sports drinks provide fluids to help cool your child down, carbohydrate 

for quick energy and help to replace electrolytes that are lost in sweat.

Replacing electrolytes and providing energy is crucial to keeping kids safe

and performing at their best.