Innovations in Hydration for Athletic Performance

In the field of sports nutrition, there is always some new product that catches the eyes of athletes and practitioners. These sometimes pull focus away from the basics of proper fueling and hydration. Sport practitioners educate athletes to follow established fluid recommendations, but current research has found that around 70% of athletes are still dehydrated before practice. Therefore, this session would bring light to the importance of monitoring pre-exercise hydration status and improvements in fluid recommendations.

A study conducted in the Division I collegiate athletic setting evaluated the efficacy of a new pre-exercise fluid recommendation based on hydration level, determined using urine specific gravity. We found a significant improvement in hydration status following this intervention. The feasibility of this fluid recommendation can be utilized by all collegiate athletic programs. Furthermore, this session will investigate how dietitians can consolidate and effectively equip athletes with applicable information for reaching their hydration-related goals. We don’t want to overwhelm our athletes with numbers!

CPE Level: Level 2 (intermediate knowledge/experience)
CPEU: 1.0

Performance Indicators

• 8.1.1 Interprets and applies evidence-based literature and standards for determining nutritional needs of target audiences.
• 4.1.2 Interprets and integrates evidence-based research and literature in decision-making.
• 8.3.8 Creates a nutrition care plan to match energy and other nutrient and fluid needs to maintain health, optimize performance and reduce the likelihood of negative exercise outcomes (e.g., overtraining, injury).

Learning Objectives

• Evaluate the latest hydration research and areas of improvement for fluid recommendations based on hydration assessment methods.
• Determine hydration status and appropriate fluid intervention strategies specific to pre-exercise.
• Critique educational strategies to promote optimal pre-exercise hydration for athletes.

Moderator

• Melinda Valliant

Speakers

• Peyton Dixon
• Samantha Kostelnik