In this highly competitive era, parents are increasingly concerned with the safety of their young athletes, especially when they are engaged in contact sports. Most sports injuries can be directly or indirectly linked to dehydration during exercise.

Maintaining optimum body temperature is essential to minimizing or avoiding injury when an athlete is experiencing physical stress. During intense exercise, the body sustains optimal temperature through sweat. This action reduces the risk of heat stress and helps to maintain normal muscle function. When the body expels water through sweat, it must be replaced or a decrease in physical and mental performance will occur due to dehydration.

Physical safety in sports can often be attributed to the split-second decisions made by athletes on the field. As an athlete develops skills over time, physical movement decisions can be conditioned through training, but even then, physical exhaustion can lead to errors that impact their safety as well as the safety of other players. Physical exhaustion is a symptom of dehydration. This is one of the reasons why schools and professional teams employ certified athletic trainers.

Good hydration starts hours before field activity begins. For the safety of their children, it is imperative for parents to take an active role in teaching them the importance of good hydration and nutrition, especially during seasonal sports activities.