Importance of Hydration for Youth Athletes

It is recommended that youth athletes begin hydrating several days before a weekend full of physical activity. They should drink plenty of water and other hydrating fluids throughout the week leading up to the event. This will help to ensure that they are properly hydrated before they begin their physical activity. On the day of the event, it is recommended that youth athletes drink at least 16-20 ounces of water 2-3 hours before the activity. During the activity, they should aim to drink 6-8 ounces of water every 15-20 minutes. It's also important to note that youth athletes should also monitor their urine color, clear or light yellow means they are hydrated, dark yellow or amber means they are dehydrated and need to drink more water.