Fluid balance and recovery in adolescent ice hockey players

Hydration management in adolescent ice hockey requires more than a fixed daily water target. Repeated high-intensity shifts, protective equipment, individual sweat losses and limited time between bouts can influence fluid balance even in a cool arena. This narrative review summarizes practical prevention principles for adolescent players, coaches, parents and sports-health professionals. Evidence from position statements, pediatric beverage guidance and ice-hockey studies was considered. The literature supports reliable access to fluids, an individualized plan informed by the athlete’s experience and, when appropriate, supervised pre- and post-training body-mass observations. Both inadequate replacement and excessive drinking can be harmful. Water is an appropriate routine beverage for most young athletes; carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks may have a limited role in prolonged, vigorous activity, while energy drinks containing caffeine or other stimulants are inappropriate for adolescents. The review proposes a simple before-during-after framework and emphasizes that hydration should be assessed alongside nutrition, recovery, health and training conditions. No new participant data are reported.