Vietnamese Athletes Utilize Special Hydration Solution for Training and Competitions.
The sight of Vietnamese athletes drinking yellow bottles of water during training sessions has become commonplace during each training camp. These yellow bottles are not just C “Fizz” dissolved in water, nor are they diluted energy drinks as many have speculated, despite the similar color.
In an interview, Dr. Tuan Nguyen Giap, who has accompanied the Vietnamese national team during major campaigns such as the Asian Cup and the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, explained: “This is a mixture of mineral water, C “Fizz,” sugar, salt, and oral rehydration salts, prepared in a specific ratio to replenish fluids and electrolytes for the players.”
He continued: “The sugars used in sports are typically simple sugars (glucose, fructose, galactose) rather than complex sugars (sucrose, refined sugar), which take longer to absorb.”
Vietnamese athletes and the U23 team often drink yellow bottles of water during training. (Photo: Viet Hung).
Water makes up about 70% of the human body. For athletes in general and football players in particular, the energy expenditure during training and competition leads to rapid dehydration. The physical activity causes the body to lose water through the skin, known as sweating.
In sweat, aside from water, there are electrolytes such as sodium, chloride, calcium, and potassium. If athletes do not adequately replenish water and electrolytes, they risk muscle cramps, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, and lack of alertness.
Thus, preparing drinking water for training and competitions is a crucial task for doctors and logistical staff. For the Vietnamese national team, this work requires seriousness and has undergone research and testing.
According to Dr. Giap, some advanced football nations have pre-prepared electrolyte drinks for their players, but this is still not common in Vietnam. The daily preparation of drinking water for the Vietnamese national team still takes considerable time and effort. The process of transporting and unloading during away matches is also more time-consuming due to the volume of equipment.
“We usually spend about an hour before each training session to prepare the team’s drinking water. The yellow bottle that everyone sees is primarily for players to consume during the mid-training intervals. Before and after training, the team drinks other types of fluids, like whey or protein,” Dr. Tuan Nguyen Giap shared.
The yellow bottles are used by the national team even during international matches. (Photo: Quang Thinh).
Dr. Giap also mentioned that each player typically needs to consume between 2 to 3 liters of water during training or matches. This intake is administered in several portions, so every 10-15 minutes, Coach Park Hang-seo usually pauses the practice to allow the team to hydrate.
During international competitions, players often use energy gels and bananas during breaks to replenish vitamins and essential nutrients. In some matches that occur in summer or in hot, dry climates, teams also pause between halves to drink water. This break is referred to as a “cooling break.”
The yellow bottle is not only seen with the national team but is also becoming more common at the club level. Currently, some teams in the V.League have also adopted the electrolyte drink preparation formula for their players. Hanoi FC and Viettel have even hired medical experts to better support the team’s performance. This is a positive sign for the nutritional care that has not received much attention in Vietnamese sports over the years.
