General

Drinking Fluids Before, During and After Sports Important For Children

Surprising, as it may seem, the most important part of an athlete's diet isn't what they eat, it is what and how much they drink. Drinking fluids before, during and after sports is especially important for preadolescent children because they have special fluid needs compared to adults, or even teenagers. As a parent or coach, you are responsible for taking precautions to prevent heat illnesses in exercising children and making sure they drink enough fluids.

Another Benefit of Gatorade

Submitted by Minor League Mom on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 23:31. | 2 comments

Our two sons played organized ice hockey and baseball, beginning at ages five (ice hockey) and nine (Little League). They went on to become All-Stars in both sports in high school, competing on varsity and travel teams. They entered Ivy League colleges and had to choose to play one sport, due to overlapping seasons. They both chose baseball. They each became All-Ivy baseball players and went on to play in the Boston Red Sox pro baseball system for seven years (which I chronicle in my book, MINOR LEAGUE MOM: A MOTHER'S JOURNEY THROUGH THE RED SOX FARM TEAMS).

Benefits of Gatorade for an infant or toddler explained.

Ten Hydration Tips for Youth Athletes

A handy list of ten hydration tips for youth athletes from MomsTeam's Dr. Susan Yeargin.

Basic Hydration Tips for Youth Athletes with Cystic Fibrosis and Diabetes

While all children and adolescents have hydration needs - especially in hot and humid conditions - those with cystic fibrosis or diabetes need to pay extra care and attention to hydration. Here are some hydration tips for parents of athletes with CF or diabetes.

Sports Drinks for Sports, Energy Drinks Never, Says New AAP Report

Sports drinks should be consumed by children and adolescents only when there is a need for fluid, carbohydrate and electrolyte replenishment during and after prolonged, vigorous sports participation, while the ingestion of energy drinks should avoided completely, recommends the American Academy of Pediatrics in a new clinical report published in the journal Pediatrics.

Performance Nutrition for Football: Replacing Electrolytes Prevents Muscle Cramps

The loss of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium through sweat can lead to muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting and even death. Electrolytes are minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride) which send messages to nerves and muscles throughout the body, and are involved with muscle contraction and relaxation during exercise, so that an imbalance can impact the actual contraction of the muscle itself.

Ask Dr. Lindsay: Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Drinks

Dr. Lindsay Baker, a senior scientist at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, answers frequently asked questions about sports drinks and why it is important for young athletes to stay hydrated and consume carbohydrates to perform at their best.