Beyond90: Game day nutrition & recovery for traveling athletes

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA (June 13, 2024) - US Youth Soccer regional tournaments are kicking off this week with Far West Presidents Cup in Salt Lake City, Utah followed by Far West Regional Championships in Honolulu, Hawai'i. That means one thing: a lot of games and plenty of sun for Cal North traveling teams. 

Summer temperatures are unavoidable, therefore we have put together some resources courtesy of Stanford Medicine Children's Health so that players and coaches can have a nutrition & hydration guide for maximum performance during regional tournaments this month.

Traveling can present exciting and rewarding experiences that allow young athletes to learn, grow and compete. However, travel can also take a toll on young athletes by disrupting their health and performance if they do not have strategies to cope with the changes. Faced with atypical daily routines, high physical demands, and unfamiliar environments, young athletes benefit from strategies to stay healthy and maximize their performance while away from home.

Here are some tips to keep you competing at your best even when traveling: 

1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
2. Pack Snacks
3. Keep Your Routine
4. Avoid Germs
5. Keep Moving

You can find more information on each of these tips in this tipsheet for The Traveling Athlete. 

Pre-and post-game nutrition are also critical for performing your best. Proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats all play an important role in your preparation and recovery, just like the amount of electrolytes (fluids) consumed. Check out these quick guides on Game Day Nutrition and Recovery Fuel. 

Keep these resources saved in your browser for guidance on proper nutrition during the upcoming Far West Presidents Cup or Far West Regional Championships.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cal North and Stanford Medicine Children's Health have teamed up to bring you Beyond90, a youth health and sports medicine initiative, designed to offer every youth soccer player in Northern California the resources to live a healthy and strong life during and beyond the game. This collaboration will also serve as an initiative to promote health and fitness among Northern California kids and provide specialized sports medicine care to young athletes, a group that has experienced a substantial increase in sports-related injuries.