The term “Hydration” has become a buzz word over recent years in areas ranging from the health and wellness industry on through to the world of sports. Modern research into the impact of proper hydration on young athletes has yielded a number of important facts that both parents and players need to keep in mind. Here is a sampling of some of the findings from several of those studies as they relate to the goaltending position. We’ll begin by taking a look at a study conducted a few years ago at Guelph University.
In a separate study conducted at the Mayo Clinic evaluating the nervous responses of experienced versus less experienced goaltenders, it was found that although more experienced goaltenders maintained a higher heart rate during games, they also maintained a lower level of arousal than less experienced net minders. This may also impact the degree of perspiration of individual net minders.
Other studies have shown that when an athlete becomes dehydrated their peak leg power production decreased by 18.36 %. Imagine what this would do to a goaltender’s lateral mobility?
One very effective way monitor if you are getting enough fluids is to weight yourself right before and right after a practice or game. If your weigh decreases more than 2% after a practice or game , then your performance may have been hampered by your lack of fluid intake. A very simple equation can give you the answer.
(weight before – weight after ) / weight before
If the loss is greater than 0.02, then you didn’t drink enough.
Remember, make sure to not drink anything after the game (just this once) and to shed any soaking undergarments before taking the postgame weight.
Pre-game, in game and postgame hydration won’t always guarantee that every puck will stay out, but it will ensure that each athlete is performing as close to peak performance as their training and preparation allows.