Chronic Hypohydration in Minor Professional Ice Hockey Players

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Few studies have examined hydration status and electrolyte balance in ice hockey. Factors such as equipment, training status, age, and diet increase the chance for chronic hypohydration in minor professional ice hockey. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of a fluid intake program on hydration status and electrolyte balance. METHODS: Ten minor professional male ice hockey players participated (age = 24.33+2.35y, height = 182+5.26cm, weight = 90.51+7.47kg). Baseline hydration and electrolyte measures were assessed over two practices. Players were then randomly assigned to either control (CON) or intervention (INT) group for ten additional practices. Participants were provided individual water bottles for assessing fluid intake. Participants in the CON group were provided water (W) and/or carbohydrate electrolyte beverage (CEB) to drink ad libitum during practice and INT group was provided W and supplemented CEB to counter sodium losses. Pre- and post practice urine sodium concentration ([UNa+]), urine specific gravity (Usg), urine color (Ucol), and body mass (BM), time of practice, and fluid consumed were measured and compared between groups using ANOVA. RESULTS: Average practice time was 67.9 min. Values are means + standard deviation. Pre-practice measures revealed hypohydration in CON (Ucol 5.07+1.60 and Usg 1.020+0.01μG) and INT (Ucol 5.10+1.39 and Usg 1.020+0.01μG). Post-practice measures revealed further hypohydration for CON (Ucol = 6.21+1.02, Usg = 1.030+0.01μG) and INT (Ucol = 5.85+1.33, Usg = 1.030+0.01μG). INT consumed more fluid than CON (1064.50+1002.22ml vs. 638.25+572.88ml,, p=0.010). Change in BM was significantly greater in CON than INT (-0.19+0.60 and-0.07+0.31, p=0.001). [UNa+], although not significant, dropped similarly for CON and INT pre- to post practice (99.06+57.29 to 78.99+46.15 and 92.16+46.39 to 79.26+44.36, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention was unsuccessful in attenuating hypohydration, despite increased fluid intake and maintenance of BM. These results indicate that fluid intake solely during practice is insufficient to maintain hydration, and that hockey players may benefit from greater efforts to hydrate throughout the day.