Staying Hydrated as Fall Sports Kick Off

CLEVELAND - Whether it’s two-a-days for football or another fall sport, student athletes need to make sure they’re staying hydrated. 

“Hydration is really essential when you're partaking in any type of sport, whether it's indoors or outdoors. But especially in these warmer months, when you're sweating more, and you're losing more electrolytes, and water more quickly with the amount of practices that you're doing,” said Marie Schaefer, MD, sports medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic. 

Dr. Schaefer said when an athlete doesn’t drink enough water, it can negatively affect their performance. 

They may get tired more easily and have trouble focusing.

Worse than that, they could suffer heat exhaustion or heat stroke – which can be life-threatening.

Dr. Schaefer said if an athlete starts to feel dizzy, nauseous, or like they’re going to pass out, they should stop playing immediately and seek medical attention. 

She also emphasizes the importance of having built-in water breaks and taking a break from the sun.

“Not only do I always encourage our athletes that are outdoors when they're practicing to wear sunscreen and if they can, to wear a hat, sunglasses, anything to protect your eyes and skin from the sun exposure but also getting access to shade while you're practicing. That can help cool your body to get you out of the sun and decrease your risk of anything bad happening,” she said.

Dr. Schaefer notes that athletes should be drinking water before and after practice too, so their body is always well hydrated.