Right, settle in folks, because my favourite time of year is BACK! Yes, you guessed it – football, glorious football (Premier League, specifically), has returned to our screens and our muddy pitches. As an avid Everton supporter here in Brisbane, Australia, I’ve been known to break out a sweat just watching some of their Premier League matches lately (honestly, it’s a cardiovascular workout in itself!). But my sweating has nothing on the drama that unfolded recently. I’m sure you all heard about “Sweatgate,” where Aston Villa players, both men and women, complained that their Castore kits were so bad at wicking moisture that they became heavy and waterlogged with sweat. Apparently, it looked like they’d jumped in a swimming pool after ten minutes, and it was so bad it was reportedly affecting their performance. It’s no wonder they, along with Newcastle, decided to terminate their kit deal early!
Speaking of lacing up boots, it got me thinking about my own long and sweaty history with the beautiful game. For the past 25 years, I’ve been kicking a ball around Brisbane, from the heady days of Division 1s as a teen (where my skills may have peaked!) to the slightly less-heady but equally enjoyable Division 9s with the over-35s these days. The Premier League seems a distant dream now, but the passion remains!
One thing I’ve always noticed throughout my footballing journey, from those intense Premier League title race simulations we’d have in the park as kids, right up to our current battles for… well, something in Division 9, is that I seem to sweat. A LOT. Even during the warm-up, before the first whistle blows, I’m usually glistening like a freshly polished trophy (a trophy I’ve rarely actually won, mind you). My teammates always seem so much… drier. Maybe it’s the years of cheering (and despairing) during Premier League matches that has permanently activated my sweat glands!
But hey, all that sweat means I need to be extra vigilant about staying hydrated out on the pitch. Whether you’re chasing Premier League dreams or just trying to keep up with the youngsters (or in my case, the slightly-less-youngsters) in your local league, proper hydration is key.
Famous Players and Their Hydration Secrets
It turns out I’m not the only one obsessed with hydration. Professional athletes, especially in the Premier League, take their fluid intake very seriously. A study on semi-professional rugby and soccer players found that those who consumed the recommended amount of water during training ran 7.6 percent farther and 4.1 percent farther at high speeds than those who didn’t. This just proves that proper hydration is a simple way to get a competitive edge. Even superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have strict routines. Ronaldo’s post-match recovery often includes “bathing therapy” with hot and cold water to aid circulation, while Messi’s diet is centered on foundational foods and liquids like water and mineral water to fuel his muscles and prevent injuries.
Sweat and Science: Soccer vs. Other Ball Sports
So, how does sweating in soccer compare to other sports? A large-scale study on athletes found that the average whole-body sweat rate for soccer players is about 0.94 L/h (liters per hour). This is comparable to basketball, but significantly less than American football, which has the highest sweat loss at about 1.51 L/h. The high sweat rate in American football is likely due to the combination of large body mass and the heavy, protective equipment worn by the players. However, it’s interesting to note that despite the high sweat rates in sports like American football and rugby, athletes in soccer are most consistently reported to have significant dehydration, which is a body mass loss of greater than 2%. This could be due to fewer opportunities for drinking during a soccer match compared to other sports.
My Top 3 Tips for Staying Hydrated
Electrify Your Hydration
Water is great, but when you’re sweating buckets like I do, you’re losing more than just water. Electrolytes are crucial for muscle function and preventing those dreaded cramps. I swear by having an electrolyte powder mixed in my water bottle, especially for longer games or training sessions. I’d personally recommend something like the LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix on Amazon, which is popular for its high sodium content to effectively replenish what’s lost through sweat. Think of it as the secret weapon Premier League players probably use (though they probably have fancy sports scientists mixing theirs!).
Squeeze the Most Out of Your Water Breaks
Forget those old-school screw-top bottles that take an age to open. Get yourself a good squeezy water bottle! When you’ve got a brief water break, you want fast, efficient hydration. A quick squeeze and you’re back in the game, ready to unleash your inner Premier League star (or at least try not to trip over the ball). A solid, no-nonsense option available on Amazon is the Gatorade Squeeze Water Bottle with a fast-flow valve. It’s the standard for a reason—easy to squeeze, durable, and the valve ensures you get water quickly without having to open a cap.
Fizzy Friends for Fewer Cramps
Cramps are the bane of any footballer’s existence, especially us older folks in the lower leagues. Dehydration is a major culprit, so in addition to good hydration habits, I find that taking an effervescent tablet before a game can really help. These are packed with vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, which can help prevent muscle cramps. A fantastic alternative to Berocca that’s widely available on Amazon is Voost Performance Vitamin B+ Effervescent Tablets. They’re like a little fizzy superhero for your muscles, helping you go the distance even if your Premier League dreams are a distant memory!
So there you have it. Football is back, my sweat glands are working overtime as usual, and hopefully, these hydration tips will keep you going strong on the pitch. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and nervously watch the next Everton Premier League game with a big glass of electrolyte-infused water and maybe a stress ball (or three!). Here’s to a season of great football, fewer cramps, and hopefully, just a little less sweat-induced anxiety for us Everton fans!
