Sports Hydration

Athletes who exercise in hot or humid weather are prone to three different types of heat illnesses: heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Every year the start of summer football practices around the country is accompanied by horror stories of coaches forcing young athletes to practice in hot, humid conditions without taking appropriate precautions against heat-related illness and of the deaths of youth athletes from heat stroke. It doesn't have to be that way.

It may be hard to believe, but while you are sitting in the stands all bundled up in a parka at a football game or standing at the bottom of the mountain watching your kid compete in a half-pipe competition, he may be becoming dehydrated. Indeed, a recent study showed that cold weather actually alters the thirst sensation. When athletes don't feel as thirsty, they don't drink as much fluids, and this can cause dehydration. Thus, while a young athlete's need to stay hydrated is a constant regardless of the sports season, athletes exercising in cool or cold weather need to be taught to drink more fluids throughout the day.