Abstract
PurposeThe assessment of body hydration is a complex process, and no measurement is valid for all situations. Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) has emerged as a relatively novel technique for assessing hydration status in sports. We applied BIVA a) to determine hydration changes evoked by an intense synchronized swimming (SS) training session; b) to characterize the sample of young elite swimmers in relation with a nonathletic reference population; and c) to generate its 50%, 75% and 95% percentiles of the bioelectrical variables.MethodsForty-nine elite SS female swimmers of two age categories, comen (Co: 13.9 ± 0.9 years, n = 34) and junior (Jr: 16.3 ± 0.6 years, n = 15), performed a long, high intensity training session. Body mass (BM) and bioelectrical variables (R, resistance; Xc, reactance; PA, phase angle; and Z, impedance module) were assessed pre- and post-training. BIVA was used to characterize 1) the distribution pattern of the bioelectrical vector (BIA vector) for both age groups, and 2) pre- to post-training BIA vector migration. Bioelectrical variables were also correlated with BM change values.ResultsMost swimmers were mostly located outside the 75% and some beyond the 95% percentile of the bioelectrical tolerance ellipses of the general population. The BIA vector showed statistically significant differences in both Co (T2 = 134.7, p = 0.0001) and Jr (T2 = 126.2, p < 0.001). Both groups were also bioelectrically different (T2 = 17.6, p < 0.001). After the training session, a decrease in BM (p = 0.0001) and an increase in BIA variables (p = 0.01) was observed. BIVA also showed a significant pre-post vector migration both in Co (T2 = 82.1; p < 0.001) and Jr (T2 = 41.8; p < 0.001). No correlations were observed between BM changes and bioelectrical variables.ConclusionsBIVA showed specific bioelectrical characteristics in young elite SS athletes. Considering the decrease in BM and the migration of the BIA vector, we conclude that the homeostatic hydration status of these young elite female swimmers was affected by the execution of intense training sessions. From a methodological perspective, BIVA appears to be sensitive enough to detect subtle hydration changes, but further research is needed to ensure its validity and reliability. Moreover, these findings highlight the importance of ensuring adequate fluid intake during training in young SS athletes.
Highlights
Since becoming part of the Olympic program in 1984, synchronized swimming has enjoyed a growing worldwide popularity
Considering the decrease in BM and the migration of the Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) vector, we conclude that the homeostatic hydration status of these young elite female swimmers was affected by the execution of intense training sessions
Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) appears to be sensitive enough to detect subtle hydration changes, but further research is needed to ensure its validity and reliability. These findings highlight the importance of ensuring adequate fluid intake during training in young Synchronized swimmming (SS) athletes
Summary
Since becoming part of the Olympic program in 1984, synchronized swimming has enjoyed a growing worldwide popularity. This highly technical sport combines aerobic and anaerobic endurance, flexibility, strength, power, acrobatics and performance skills, and choreography [1] requiring long hours of training to attain such broad attributes [2]. Most synchronized swimmers enter the sport as young girls at the recreational level, and by the age of 13–15 years, the more talented athletes start training and competing at a more intense level [3]. Elite swimmers tend to train 6 days per week with one day off, and training sessions usually last between 3 and 5 hours [2, 3] and are divided in two workouts per day with different content. As a result, training demands at the elite level often result in high-volume—averaging approximately 40 h per week— and high-intensity training programs [2, 4]
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