Hydrating before, during and after a game - what do you drink?

While getting dressed before a recent pick-up game I was told that drinking water DURING a game would actually slow me down as the water would flow down to my legs making them heavier and therefore more sluggish.

Physiologically, I find this statement hard to believe; does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Before games I try to drink at least one large waterbottle full of water (2-3 hours prior to the game).

During the game I keep a large bottle full of water on my net and I drink all of it before the end of the game.

After the game I usually drink a little water but I also will go out for a beer or two... [I know this is bad for you but what the heck!]

Does anyone drink a sports drink (Gatorade/Powerade) during the game? Any bad side effects?










[This message has been edited by wellsie33 (edited November 17, 1999).]

[badgerit]

How the hell does the water flow to your legs??? Last I checked, there were no vessels that drained my stomach to my legs...

I don't drink all that much during or after games, but I'm not one of those no-water-drinking weirdos. As far as side effects from drinking gatorade etc., you get sticky.

[Squealagig]

The only reason I don't drink water during games is because it makes me feel sick, same with eating too close to a game.

"water would flow down to my legs" WTF thats the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I'm told that the water is quickly absorbed through your stomach walls and into your blood stream where it then rehidrates all the cells.

I drink a litre about 6 hours before game time another litre at 2 hours before and then another litre 10 mins before I leave home then finally 1 more litre as I leave (usually about an hour before game time) then when I get home I dring another litre and 1 more about an hour after that.

I couldn't imagine drinking something like gatorade. I can't stand all that sugar. As well after it wears of I always feel really slugish.

[Aaron]

I was always taught that when you drink something, it goes to your stomach. Not to your feet. Tell that guy who misinformed you to get a clue, they're free

I have to drive 45 minutes to the nearest rink where my family plays roughly 4 times a week. Anyhow, that gives me plenty of time to drink up on water! But I hate it when you drink so much water and it feels like its SLOSHING around inside you...ugh! It goes to your feet? Uh...hello? Whoever that was was a tad crazy...=) After a 2 hr. practice or a game I normally buy a powerade or something like that; or else just down the rest of my wata!

I try to drink my 8 cups of water a day and I find that it keeps me well hydrated and I only drink about 3/4 litre during a game.

As far as sports drinks go, I read in some mens health magazine that drinking a mix of 1/2 fruit juice to 1/2 water is far more effective than Powerade or any of those sports drinks and it is way cheaper.

I keep a bottle of 1/2 O.J. to 1/2 Water on the bench and drink it during intermision. (wich is like 30 seconds in our league) I have tried using Gatorade in the same fashion and the only difference I noticed was in my wallet.

That oxygenated water is sh!te as well, don't bother drinking it because it does nothing more than regular water does.

[This message has been edited by NetDog (edited November 18, 1999).]

I usually get to the arena about an hour before face off. I like to drink a PowerAide while I am stretching out and getting dressed. I have it more or less timed so it is gone before I leave the locker room.

I usually have a large and small water bottle on the back of the net. Before I started drinking the PowerAide in the locker room, I would burn through both bottles... now I usually have a little left in both

*Disclaimer* This is not, or in anyway intended to be a commercial, or promotion for PowerAide or related beverages. =o)

[KDB]

I usually drink water all day, but I consciously consume a little more on game days.

I drink water at the net, and water and Gatorade during intermission (and after the game). I know that the Gatorade isn't really doing anything for me, I just like the taste. I find that thirst isn't as much of a problem as heat (roller hockey), so I probably end up dumping more water on my head than down my throat...

yes....i must admit that i do drink Powerade before games. I drink the Mountain Blast (blue) flavor, and it does not seem to have any bad side effects. As long as we get um for free, I will keep drinking it.

[Ryano42]

Water and espresso before, (wirrrred!) water only during, (1 1/2 big hockey bottles) water between periods. A coke or preferably juice afterwards. If it's a night game, 1 GOOD beer (Molson at least or US micro-brew) to wind down and get the shooters out of my mind...

I try to suck down about four extra liters of water the day of a game, but that doesn't always happen.

Generally there is some Power-Aid in there too, because there is the kick-ass Power-Aid flavour that water does not give. I don't know if there is any truth to all that elctrolyte BS, otherwise I would drink Kool-Aid (Black Cherry kicks ass).

Post game is always a bottle of Jagged Ice Power-Aid (tastes the best) and then a six pack of Leinenkugels. I am in college and still have the tolerance...

Six hours of sleep, and back at the grind.

Class and work suck.

Its so refreshing to see a group of people that enjoy "GOOD" beer.... ahhh what a crowd.. I feel so.... cozy..

[daemyn75]

Water going to your legs so does that mean if you drink too much it will make your eyes float eventually? I think some one had handed you some real Crap

[Aussie_Goalie]

Well i used to alwayz drink Poweraide only cause my dad gets it for free.But know i have turned to water cause Poweraide makes me feel sick and i found out why it does that.It happens because its not good to have sweet things in ur stomach while or before u play so water is heaps better but it doesn't have the same taste.I also drink a couple of glasses of Orange Juice 20mins before each game just to get me going.

if you do have "water in your legs" you have some serious medical problems and should get to the nearest medical facility... as for myself a liter or two of water leading up to game time a liter durring a game and depending on how rough of a game a liter after....

[This message has been edited by Hammerhead (edited November 22, 1999).]