Incidence And Degree Of Dehydration And Attitudes Regarding Hydration In Children Participating In Summer Football Camps

Abstract

PURPOSE Research related to the hydration of youth football players during successive days of exercise in the heat is scarce. We assessed the incidence and degree of dehydration of children during summer football camp as well as evaluated their attitudes regarding hydration. METHODS 21 boys (mean ± SD, 10±1y old, 143±12cm, 39.2±12.3kg, 2±1y football experience) participated in 4 days of summer football camp in Pennsylvania. The camp consisted of 2, 2hr exercise sessions per day. The WBGT averaged 28.6 degrees C. Hydration status was assessed before the first practice (AM) and after the last practice (PM). Urine specific gravity (USG) and urine osmolaility (OSM) were used to define minimal, significant, and serious dehydration. Participants were not encouraged or educated regarding hydration by the research team, but fluid was available during the practice session. RESULTS Percentage of subjects specifies the incidence of dehydration. Urine specific gravity (USG) and osmolality(OSM) levels define the severity of dehydration in children: Scores from the hydration knowledge questionnaire showed subjects had a basic understanding of how and when to hydrate. A quantitative Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire (ESQ), symptoms commonly experienced with heat illness, significantly increased (p < 0.05) from AM to PM. CONCLUSIONS Although the children did not wear any football equipment due to camp restrictions and exhibited a moderate knowledge of the importance of hydration, indices indicated the children were unable to maintain a well-hydrated condition at any time during the 4 days. ESQ did not correlate with urine OSM or USG, suggesting that children's perceptions of how they are feeling may not accurately refiect their hydration status. Specialized education geared towards children about minimizing dehydration during exercise may enhance future hydration behaviors.Table