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Dehydration and youth sports: Curb the risk
If you're sweltering in the stands at a youth sporting event, imagine what it's like for the athletes. Learn who's at risk of dehydration — and how to prevent it.
By Mayo Clinic staffChildren don't adapt as well as adults do to exercise in hot, humid weather. They produce more heat, sweat less and may be less likely to drink enough fluids during exercise — all of which increase the risk of dehydration. In turn, dehydration can lead to heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. But you don't need to worry from the sidelines. Understand how heat-related problems happen and know how to prevent them.
Who's at risk
Any child who exercises in the heat may be at risk of dehydration. The concern is often greatest for young athletes who participate in football, soccer, cross-country and other sports that start in late summer.
Your child may be particularly vulnerable to dehydration and other heat-related illnesses during summer workouts if he or she:
- Rarely exercises
- Is overweight or obese
- Has had a recent illness that caused vomiting or diarrhea
- Has had a previous heat-related illness
Football players face special risks in the heat when exercising hard while wearing full protective gear.
Acclimating to the heat
Heat-related problems are most likely within the first few days of practice. That's why it's best to take it easy at first, gradually increasing the amount of activity — and the amount of protective equipment — as the days pass. Young athletes may need up to two weeks to safely acclimate to the heat.
During hot and humid conditions, the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages coaches to:
- Reduce the intensity of physical activity lasting more than 15 minutes
- Require young athletes to drink plenty of fluids before practice and during regular beverage breaks — even if they aren't thirsty
- Limit clothing to a single layer of light-colored, lightweight material
(1 of 2)
- Parents' and coaches' guide to dehydration and other heat illnesses in children. National Athletic Trainers' Association. http://www.nata.org/consumer/docs/parentandcoachesguide.pdf. Accessed Feb. 27, 2009.
- Climatic heat stress and the exercising child and adolescent. Pediatrics. 2000;106:158.
- Howe AS, et al. Heat-related illness in athletes. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2007;35:1384.
