When should you weigh your athletes?

• A. Before and after practices
• B. Only before practices
• C. Only after practices
• D. Weekly during the season

Answer: (A)

Tracking hydration effectively comes from weighing athletes both before and after practice. A pre-practice weight gives you a baseline of each athlete’s hydration status after rest, while a post-practice weight shows how much fluid was lost during that session. The difference indicates acute fluid loss from sweating and helps determine if rehydration is needed or if adjustments to practice intensity or duration are required. Weighing only before wouldn’t reveal how much fluid was lost, and weighing only after wouldn’t tell you how it compares to the athlete’s baseline. Doing this once a week misses daily and within-session fluctuations. For consistency, use the same scale, weigh in similar conditions (light clothing, same time of day if possible), and record the post- or pre-practice changes to guide hydration decisions.