Youngsters competing while dehydrated.

• Position: Athletic Arena - Brief Article

Even though athletes know how important hydration can be to their safety and performance, the American College of Sport Medicine, Chicago, found that most soccer and football players in the 10-to-16-year-old age bracket compete in the summer heat while significantly dehydrated.

Dehydration can increase the risk of heat stroke which, in extreme cases, could lead to death. More than 300 people die of heat-related illnesses each year. "The incidence levels of dehydration in [current] studies are alarmingly similar to what we've seen in previous studies, but what's new is that we now have a sense for the best educational approaches to help young athletes stay hydrated and safe while competing in the heat," explains Douglas Casa, director of athletic training education at the University of Connecticut, Storrs.

When it comes to monitoring hydration status, most...