Adolescent males typically lose up to 1.5 liters of
sweat per hour when performing intense
soccer activities in the heat, says a new
first-of-its-kind study from the University
of Connecticut presented this week at the
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
annual conference in Denver, Colorado.
The three-year research project also showed
that nearly two-thirds of male and female youth
soccer players are dehydrated before they even
take the field and the average hydration routine
observed by parents and coaches isn't preventing
the problem. However, educational intervention
implemented by researchers positively influenced
hydration knowledge and attitudes among youth
soccer players, and improved the chances of
proper hydration status on the field.
This study, coupled with the extra attention
soccer is getting leading into the sport's
most elite international tournament and the
quickly approaching heat of summer, has prompted
the U.S. Soccer Federation - the governing
body of soccer in the United States - to develop
and distribute new Youth Soccer Heat and Hydration
Guidelines to coaches and parents nationwide.
The goal is to help prevent the potentially
deadly effects of heat illness among the 14
million U.S. children who play soccer and,
as it relates to more elite levels, increase
physical performance of the next generation
of US soccer stars. "The release of the new
Youth Hydration Guidelines by U.S. Soccer is
a big step in better protecting youth soccer
players from dehydration and heat illness," said
Bruce Arena, manager of the U.S. Men's National
Team.
"Every coach out there should be aware of the dangers of dehydration and should
be taking the important steps to prevent it among their players. When proper
hydration isn't taken into consideration, coaches are not only risking inadequate
performance from their players, but, in some cases, serious injury."
The guidelines provide coaches with an overview
of the latest research and information regarding:
1) physiological and environmental factors
that place young soccer players at risk for
heat illness, 2) signs of dehydration and heat
illness, 3) prevention techniques and 4) recommended
fluid guidelines that coaches, parents and
players should be following on the field of
play. "We were amazed that two-thirds of youth
players arrived at practice significantly dehydrated
and, in turn, were potentially at-risk for
heat illness from the moment they stepped on
the field," said Douglas Casa, lead researcher
and director of athletic training at the University
of Connecticut.
"Findings like this reinforce the fact that youth soccer players should be drinking
before, during and after practice and games. They should avoid carbonated and
caffeinated beverages, and consume a sports drink with electrolytes such as sodium,
which research shows is better than water to keep kids hydrated for optimal safety."
Casa also points out the importance of the
findings in the study and how educational intervention
implemented by researchers positively influenced
hydration attitudes among youth soccer players
-- and that this could be the most important
step in eliminating chronic dehydration as
a significant issue among kids who play soccer.
Key points from the guidelines include making
sure youth players gradually adapt to increased
exposure to high temperatures and humidity;
recognize the signs of heat illness; and realize
that thirst is not an accurate indication of
fluid needs. To ensure these points are memorable
for coaches, parents and kids, the U.S. Soccer
Federation has developed the acronym - G.O.A.L.
- which stands for:
- Get acclimated - bodies need time to
gradually adapt to increased exposure
to high temperatures and humidity (especially
young athletes)
- On
schedule
drinking-
Youth
athletes
should
be
encouraged
to
drink
on
a schedule
before
they
become
thirsty,
and
should
drink
before,
during
and
after
practice
and
games
- Always
bring
a sports
drink-
replacing
electrolytes
and
providing
energy
is
crucial
to
keeping
kids
safe
and
performing
at
their
best
- Learn
the
signs
- if
someone
becomes
unusually
fatigued,
dizzy,
and
nauseous
or
has
a headache
during
exercise
in
the
heat,
have
them
stop,
rest
and
drink
fluids.
As one of the best means to preventing
heat illness, The U.S. Soccer Federation
recommends parents and coaches ensure children
are well hydrated before practice and games.
During activity, young athletes should
drink on a schedule; because thirst is
not an accurate indicator of fluid needs,
athletes should drink before they become
thirsty. The Federation plans to incorporate
the Heat Illness and Hydration Guidelines
into its already existing coaches' curriculum,
reaching thousands of youth soccer coaches
across the country.
About U.S. Soccer
Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer is one of the
world's first organizations to be affiliated
with FIFA, the Federation Internationale
de Football Association, soccer's world
governing body. As the governing body of
soccer in all its forms in the United States,
U.S. Soccer has helped chart the course
for the sport in the USA for 88 years.
In that time, the Federation's mission
statement has been very simple and very
clear: to make soccer, in all its forms,
a preeminent sport in the United States
and to continue the development of soccer
at all recreational and competitive levels.
