Drinks
It’s important for young athletes to drink plenty of fluid to avoid heat illness and dehydration, which can zap a child’s strength, energy, and coordination and lead to other health problems. It’s a good idea for your child to drink water or other fluids throughout the day, but especially before, during, and after periods of extended physical activity. It is recommend that kids drink approximately 1 cup (240 millilitres) of water or fluid every 20 to 30 minutes of physical activity. Shorter games may not require drinking during the activity, but it’s important to drink water after the game or event to restore whatever fluid your child lost through sweat during the event. Children often don’t recognize or respond to feelings of thirst, so it’s a good idea to encourage your child to drink before thirst sets in.
Although many sports drinks are available, usually plain water is sufficient to keep these young athletes hydrated. If your child wants juice, it’s a good idea to mix it with water to reduce the concentration of sugar.
A good old fashioned glass of Robinsons barley water should fulfil all their needs…Well, its my favourite, anyway.
Sports drinks
Sports drinks are designed to provide energy (sugar) and replace electrolytes such as sodium and potassium that athletes lose in sweat. But your child’s body typically has enough carbohydrates to serve as energy for up to 90 minutes of exercise. And in most cases, any lost electrolytes can be replenished by a good meal after the activity. Endurance sports such as long-distance running and biking or high-intensity exercise such as football, basketball, or hockey, require your child to replenish his or her body throughout the event. This is because the body can use the sugar immediately as energy to make up for the depleted energy stores in the body. However, too much sugar can upset the stomach. So.. lets get into the habit of allowing our children to quench their thirst with water, or watered down juice. Also, a homemade litre of juice/water costs maybe 10p. Whilst a typical Sports drink can cost 10-15 times that. Hey, its cost effective to be healthy.. Wonderful