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Despite many studies presenting that a high number of adult athletes start exercise in sub-optimal hydration state, limited data concerning hydration levels in athletic youth exists. This study aimed to identify the hydration status of young athletes of different sports during a typical training. Sixty-nine young men athletes from different sports (swimming, judo, basketball, football) voluntarily participated in the study (age: 13.7±1.7 years, experience: 4.8±2.0 years). Measurements were carried out before and immediately after training. Data collection took place at the same time of the day. All athletes trained for about 90 minutes and they consumed fluids ad libitum during their training. Pre-training urine measurement revealed that 58.2% of the athletes started training in dehydrated state (USG≥1.020). Besides, 63.3% of the athletes completed the training in also dehydrated state with USG values ≥ 1.020 and urine colour between 4-6. Mean body weight loss during the training was -0.26±0.40. This study concluded that the prevalence of dehydration in young athletes is high according to USG and urine colour values. Great number of the athletes arrived at training in dehydrated state and dehydrated even more during training despite access to fluids. Some educational programs and measures for optimal hydration in young athletes should be taken into consideration.

Dehydration is defined as deficit in total body water and has been suggested to have adverse effects on athletic performance. Despite ongoing efforts to inform the athletes, especially weight-classified athletes present higher level of dehydration. As judo is a weight-classified sport and athletes are exposed to rapid weight loss methods, hydration status of judo athletes should be monitored for athletes’ health and implications for future precautions. Thus, the aim of this study was to monitor hydration status of elite judo athletes during a competition day. Eighteen (13 males, 5 females) elite judo athletes voluntarily participated in this study. Following body composition measurements, USG and urine color measurements were carried out before and after the competition in order to determine their hydration status. Athletes’ pre-match USG value was 1,021 while it was found 1,019 after competitions. As for urine color, it was 5,17 before competitions and 4,87 after competition. According to these results elite judo athletes presented higher level of dehydration during a competition day despite ad libitum fluid intake. Judo athletes and coaches should be informed about adverse effects of dehydration and individual water intake prescriptions for these athletes can be advised. Further research is also advised to confirm that dehydration negatively affects judo specific performance.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of weigh-in time on hydration status and acute weight gain (AWG). Twenty-seven men judo athletes and 23 men wrestlers voluntarily participated in this study. Body mass and urine specific gravity (USG) of the athletes were measured just before official weigh-in and competition. Two-way analysis of variance (split-plot ANOVA) with repeated measurements (time x sport) were used to determine differences in AWG and USG between groups and measurement times. In case of significant difference between sports, t-tests were applied. There was a significant main effect of time (p

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of 5% rapid weight loss on hydration status and judo performance in highly trained judo athletes. Methods: Eighteen male judo athletes participated in the study and were divided into two groups: control and rapid weight loss (RWL). RWL athletes were given 48 h to cut 5% of their body mass while the control group followed their routines. Athletes performed three measurements, including hydration, body mass and three consecutive special judo fitness tests (SJFTs). At the 1st and 6th minutes following each SJFT and 1st, 6th and 15th minutes following the last SJFT, blood lactate and heart rate (HR) was monitored. Results: The effect of RWL on variables was tested with split-plot ANOVA. RWL significantly affected urine specific gravity with a higher value following weight loss compared to baseline and recovery (F2-32 = 13.2, p < 0.001). In addition, athletes’ SJFT total throw numbers differed among measurements (F2-32 = 7.70, p < 0.001). Athletes presented worse SJFT index after weight loss (F2-32 = 8.05, p = 0.01; F1-16 = 6.43, p = 0.02, respectively). HR changed significantly among measurements days and times (F28-448 = 143.10, p < 0.001). Conclusion: RWL induced dehydration and impaired heart rate recovery in highly trained judo athletes, and they could not rehydrate between competition simulated weigh-in and 15 h of recovery.