Sports Doctor Explains Risks and Benefits of 'Hydration Breaks' at 2026 World Cup

During the 2026 World Cup, the introduction of "hydration breaks" and cooling vests has sparked questions about their physiological benefits. Sports doctor Jorge Franchella provided detailed insights into these measures, emphasizing their role in managing player effort under high temperatures.

“

When we lose water through perspiration, when we lose a liter of water, we don't perceive it and we don't feel thirsty yet. That's why we have to warn the kids and have them drink without them feeling that sensation of thirst.

Franchella explained that players often lose significant amounts of water through sweat without immediately feeling thirsty. The mandatory breaks are designed to ensure rehydration, particularly for younger athletes. He noted that while these pauses are crucial in extreme heat, they must be managed carefully. Players should engage in "regenerative activity" or mobility exercises during the breaks, rather than standing still, to prevent muscle injuries.

“

That pause on hot days, when the person has lost a lot of heat, is adequate because we sometimes say that every 15 minutes or 20 minutes, someone playing tennis in a country club, recovers some of that liquid without having felt the corresponding thirst as an alert.

Regarding cooling vests, Franchella described them as a tool using frozen gels to help dissipate body heat. He explained the principle of heat transfer, where body heat moves to the colder gel, aiding in the recovery of core body temperature, typically between 36 and 37 degrees Celsius, after intense physical exertion.

“

When it is instituted like this, it is really fine. On the other hand, obviously, the moment they stop, they must have an activity called regenerative or mobility, that is, not to stop dead, but that is managed.

However, Franchella cautioned against sudden, drastic cooling methods like ice baths or cold showers immediately after matches. He warned that abrupt temperature changes can cause dangerous fluctuations in blood pressure. While professional athletes are supervised, such methods carry significant coronary risks for the general population.

“

Whenever we have a body, heat goes from the one that is hotter to the one that is colder or to the environment. In this case, there are gels that we know daily. That have a container with a gel inside that freezes. So when we place it on our skin, the heat from our skin goes to the gel.