After a period of rest time, players must undertake intensive pre-season training to prepare for the next season. The main issue teams have to overcome is players returning with varying levels of fitness and hydration needs. During pre-season training, players have the opportunity to get a feel for their own individual sweat rates and fluid needs, so that they can adjust their hydration practices accordingly.

Maintaining adequate hydration levels is essential for performance. Consuming enough fluids during and after training is key to this, especially in hot weather. For one, hydration is key to healthy muscles and joints. Synovial fluid is a thick liquid that lubricates the joints to keep them moving smoothly. Dehydration means less synovial fluid is available to protect the joints from injury. For players to flex their muscles properly, the body needs to be hydrated.

If the body is dehydrated, the muscles will be deprived of electrolytes and potentially lead to cramping. Since muscles are controlled by nerves, a poor water and electrolyte balance can weaken muscle strength and impair control. Players put extreme pressure on their joints and muscles during pre-season, so staying ahead of the game by keeping hydrated before, during, and after training is vital for successful preparation.

Maintaining Hydration During Heat

Pre-season training sessions, typically taken place under the sun, can intensify sweat rates, losing vital salts and minerals and risking dehydration. Training is much harder in hot weather, and high humidity levels can cause a fall in performance. To avoid impaired performance caused by heat, players need to increase their fluid intake accordingly. 

In an average training session or match during the summer, players may lose up to 3 litres of sweat. Some players may deplete in a single day up to 15 grams of salt. With this in mind, many players undertake two training sessions a day during pre-season. That’s why players must make fluid intake a priority to avoid dehydration. Just as training strategies are tailored to an individual player, so should their hydration plan. Every player has a different sweat rate, therefore needing different levels of hydration. Coaches and trainers need to modify a player’s hydration plan according to this. The risk of dehydration increases in hot environments, so prepared drinking practices should be encouraged at training grounds.
Why Isotonic Drinks are Advocated 

As the body draws on its glycogen stores for energy during training, this can cause an issue for players when playing at a high speed. Consuming carbohydrate-rich drinks is highly recommended over plain water by sports nutritionists. Fuelling up in the hours before the game and consuming carbohydrates during the match has been shown to enhance performance. Not only does it help maintain players' energy levels, but it also maintains attentiveness when they would otherwise become fatigued. Fatigue can increase the risk of injury for players, so keeping their energy levels maintained is vital. iPRO Hydrate – Sport Edition is a 6% carbohydrate concentration isotonic drink. It contains a slow-releasing vegetable starch-based carbohydrate called maltodextrin that fuels high-intensity exercise. Infused with electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium, iPRO Hydrate – Sport Edition helps replenish the vital salts and minerals players lose to sweat during vigorous training and games. 

iPRO Hydrate – Sport Edition: Informed Sport Certified

iPRO Hydrate – Sport Edition holds a globally recognised Informed Sport certification. The Informed Sport certification validates every batch of iPRO Hydrate – Sport Edition variation or flavour has been tested before being released to market. iPRO is proud to be the official hydration partner for some of the most recognised football clubs in the UK, including the Irish Football Association, West Ham United, and Crystal Palace Football Club.

“It is great to be working with a market-leading hydration drinks company like iPRO so that we can optimise the hydration of our players, helping their levels of performance and recovery times”. - Richard Collinge, Head of Medical Services, West Ham United 

“We are delighted to be partnering with iPRO, which is leading the way in producing healthy hydration drinks to help players with their all-round fitness, wellness, and recovery”. - Barry Webber, Commercial Director, Crystal Palace FC

Pre-season hydration is important for players not only at the top level, but also through to grassroots clubs. After an extensive period of time out due to Covid-19, everyone is now returning to full training schedules. With the hottest summer months approaching, it’s never been more important for every type of sport to plan for pre-season hydration.

Get pre-season training off to the best start by ordering the leading healthy hydration range for your team at www.iPRO.Direct for less than £1 a bottle!