December's Question of the Month - Sports drinks for children

 

I work with a senior football team, who use a sports drink which includes branch chain amino acids as well as carbohydrate and electrolytes. I have been asked by parents of our under 16 team whether their children can use it as well. What do you think?

No I would not recommend such as sports drink for U16s.


There is very little evidence on the use of sports drinks for children, let alone the use of one with added amino acids. One has to ask such questions as, how will this affect the balance of nutrient intake in the balanced diet of a child? If the child is eating poorly, how will this affect their intake and will this help, hinder or have no affect on their growth and development? What effect will it have on teeth? If a product can show evidence of longterm use in children and the impact on diet and or health or performance, then lets see the evidence. Its one thing allowing adults to make an informed choice, it is an entirely different matter when children are encouraged to take something when they are still growing and developing.

My advice for young athletes would be to drink a drink that they liked the taste of e.g. dilute squash or if serious about their sports then a commercially popular sports drink could be used rather than an amino acid supplement sports drink. The Gatorade Sports Science Institute has useful practical tips on fluid and hydration for children www.gssiweb.com

On a personal note I would like to say that children are not 'mini adults'. Their nutritional requirements are different and as such nutrients such as calcium, zinc, B vitamins and iron are increased in times of growth and development.


It concerns me that sports drinks are seen as an alternative to soft drinks and handed out to very young children without parents being aware perhaps that these drinks are scientifically designed for use before, during and after sport. Their salt content is much higher to aid hydration and if left unchecked could result in a child taking in high amounts of salt. How about keeping the sports drinks for sport and using water or milk as day-to-day drinks?


 

© j.boorman 2002