Hydration Status, Sweat Rates, and Rehydration Education of Youth Football Campers

Authors:
  • DCDouglas J. Casa
    Douglas J. Casa
  • SYSusan W. Yeargin
    Susan W. Yeargin
  • MGMatthew S. Ganio
    Matthew S. Ganio
  • EMElizabeth A. Mooradian
    Elizabeth A. Mooradian
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Context: Previous field research has not identified sweat rates (SR), fluid consumption (FC), or the efficacy of an educational intervention (EI) for youth during football camp.Objective: To measure hydration status and rehydration performance and examine EI using these data.Design: Observational with EI randomized comparison.Participants: Thirty-three boys (mean ± SD: 12 ± 2 y, 52.9 ± 13.6 kg, 156 ± 12 cm) volunteered during a 5-d camp with 3 (~2-h) sessions per day (WBGT: 25.6 ± 0.5°C).Main Outcome Measures: Hydration status, SR, and FC.Results: Urine osmolality averaged 796 ± 293 mOsm/L for days 2-5. Game SR (1.30 ± 0.57 L/h) was significantly greater than practice SR (0.65 ± 0.35 L/h; P = .002). Subjects dehydrated during free time but matched fluid losses with FC (0.76 ± 0.29 L/h) during football activities.Conclusions: Subjects arrived at camp hypohydrated and maintained this condition. They matched FC and SR during, but dehydrated when not playing, football. This may impair recovery and subsequent performance. Hydration EI seemed to have a positive influence on hydration practices.