031), B – Blood potassium concentration, C – Blood chloride selleck compound concentration and D – Blood glucose. * Above a bracket indicates a main effect for time (p < 0.05). All data are shown as mean ± SE. Blood glucose Despite the different carbohydrate concentrations between groups, there was no difference between conditions for blood glucose levels (Figure 2D). A main effect for time was found (p = 0.006), suggesting an increase in blood glucose after training. Discussion The present studies measured changes in hydration status of elite Olympic class sailors in cold and warm conditions. CCS revealed participants consumed insufficient fluids to prevent a decrease in body mass during

training, regardless of drink condition, causing a reduction in blood electrolyte concentration. WCS showed that consuming 11.5 mL.kg-1.h-1 of fluid from any condition prevented a decrease in body mass, lowered USG in all conditions and blood

sodium concentration BMS-907351 order and sodium balance were maintained with the custom drink condition (INW) only. Hydration The average pre-training USG value for GF120918 datasheet all groups in both studies was 1.019 (Table 2 and 3), which is very close to the 1.020 threshold that has been associated with hypohydration [22]. As participants were encouraged to consume fluids ad libitum prior to training, this finding suggests individual practices are inadequate. Hamouti et al. [23] have suggested an athlete’s muscle mass may influence USG values and therefore a Fenbendazole USG measurement of 1.020 may not be an accurate cut-off for hypohydration. While developing an exact cut-off for hypohydration in athletes given their

developed muscle mass compared the average population may require further study, the observed pre-practice USG values recorded during both studies were at the higher end of optimal. Since training began at 11:00 am daily, there was adequate time for athletes to consume fluids prior to arriving at the sailing centre. Furthermore, the variability between participants in pre-training USG measurements, especially in the WCS, favours inadequate fluid consumption as opposed to a higher rate of urine protein metabolites due to high muscle mass. In the WCS, participants’ fluid intake was standardized to 11.5 mL.kg-1.h-1 to reflect previous recommendations on relative fluid intake [16] and enable the comparison of hydration status and sodium balance between subjects and drinks. The decision to standardize participants’ fluid intake was also based partially on the variability of fluid intake observed during the CCS and from inadequate fluid intake reported in previous studies [9, 14]. A leading cause of insufficient fluid intake for athletes training and competing in cold temperatures is reduced thirst, which is restored in warm conditions [24]. Examination of elite football players training in cool (5°C) temperatures revealed athletes consumed far less fluid than was lost from sweating [15].