Hydration

After the final whistle, hydration in many cases shows who has pushed themselves until the end and didn’t give up at any point no matter how tired they were.

Healthy hydration is very important, especially when playing soccer in extreme hot temperatures. Proper hydration for soccer players and myself focus on the importance of drinking plenty of water so that we as players on the field can give our best performance. With constant running, change of speed and direction our body regulates the temperature by sweating. I have had some moments where I have caught myself dehydrated and I don’t want that to happen again. During any competitive or high intensity sports our bodies will sweat approximately 2-3 litres of fluid. Sweating is a way for our bodies to cool down, and if you are not drinking enough water you are going to realize that your body is feeling thirsty which is giving you an indication that you are dehydrated. Playing high intensity sports allows your body to sweat which is decreasing your weight. When you have a break at any point whether it’s a game or practise, use that time to get a drink of water. Hot and humid weather puts myself and my team at risk to heat stroke or dehydration.

How to Prevent Dehydration

• Sip on fluids like water throughout the whole day and especially during any sports.
• Eating foods with high water content, eg: fruits and vegetables will help prevent from dehydration.
• Avoid or limit drinks with caffeine like teas and soft drinks.

Soccer is a fast pace sport in which hydration is a big factor when playing this sport. Fluid intake is very beneficial to your body and will help in your performance. If you ever feel thirsty it means you are dehydrated so stay hydrated and drink plenty of water!