Unlocking the Power of Hydration and Nutrition for Youth Sports

soccer girl drinking water

YMCA Youth Sports encourages and promotes healthy kids, families, and communities by placing a priority on family involvement, healthy competition, team-building, and individual development. To keep our young athletes in tip-top shape, we should empower them to achieve their best and stay injury-free. It's not just about the game; it's about building the foundation for a lifelong love for sports and a strong, healthy body. Thanks to our partners at Scottish Rite for Children, here are a couple of tips to help your young athlete prepare for their next big game:  

 

Hydration for Youth Sports  

Young athletes may underestimate their hydration needs during sports. Take a minute to read these tips from Scottish Rite for Children for determining how much water to offer your athlete and when it's right to choose a sports drink.

A sports drink or salty snack may be needed for the following:

  • High-intensity activities lasting longer than an hour
  • Tournaments and back-to-back events
  • Hot conditions, indoors or outdoors
  • Having salt on the skin or clothes after an activity

Check out these additional hydration tips: https://scottishriteforchildren.org/news-items/hydration-tips-for-young-athletes

 

Nutrition for Youth Sports

Injury prevention begins long before your young athlete hits the court or field. Scottish Rite for Children experts have a variety of proper nutrition and hydration suggestions for young athletes.

  • Athletes should know that proper nutrition provides energy, improves performance, and prevents injuries.
  • It’s important that the young athlete drink fluids throughout the day, not just at practice.
  • Adolescence is an important time to lay the foundation for building strong bones.

Most of their success during a game is determined by their health off of the fields and courts. So, whether you're a parent, coach, or young athlete, remember that it’s never too early to learn good hydration and nutrition habits. Browse now and bookmark this page for later: https://scottishriteforchildren.org/nutrition