I am frequently asked by parents and coaches of athletes about proper hydration for sports. This topic has been extensively studied, and there are differences between children and adults. Studies have shown that when left to their own devices, children will not adequately drink during exercise.
Children wait until they are thirsty before seeking out a fluid source.
As you can surmise, the athlete is already behind in hydration by the time a thirst sensation is noticed by the child. For the soccer athlete, performance can be dramatically impaired by inadequate hydration. As adults, we play a crucial role in having our child adequately hydrated before stepping onto the field and throughout the duration of the contest. Just as we recognize the importance of pre and post game stretching, we should implement a routine of pre and post game hydration. The following guidelines are easy to understand and simple to follow.