Hydration status, knowledge, and behavior in youths at summer sports camps.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the hydration status and level of hydration knowledge of youths at summer sports camps.


METHODS
Sixty-seven active youths, 57 males (mean +/- SD, 12 +/- 2 y, 136 +/- 16 cm, 50.6 +/- 21.1 kg) and 10 females (13 +/- 2 y, 153 +/- 8 cm, 45.2 +/- 9.0 kg) participated in 4 d of sports camp. Hydration status was assessed before the first practice (AM) and after the second practice (PM). Participants completed surveys assessing hydration knowledge (HAQ) and hydration habits on day 3 and a self-assessment (EQ#1).


RESULTS
Mean AM urine specific gravity (USG) and urine osmolality (Uosm) scores ranged from minimal to significant dehydration across 4 d, even when temperatures were mild. Correlations between hydration indices and EQ#1, ranging from 0.11 to -0.51, were statistically significant (P < .05), indicating that subjects recognized when they were doing a good or bad job hydrating. HAQ did not correlate strongly with hydration indices suggesting other impediments to hydration. Thirst correlated negatively with EQ#1 (from -0.29 to -0.60).


CONCLUSIONS
Hydration at summer sports camp is a concern and special efforts need to be made to help youths develop hydration strategies.
Decher
Nora R
NR
Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, USA.
Casa
Douglas J
DJ
Yeargin
Susan W
SW
Ganio
Matthew S
MS
Levreault
Michelle L
ML
Dann
Catie L
CL
James
Camille T
CT
McCaffrey
Megan A
MA
Oconnor
Caitlin B
CB
Brown
Scott W
SW
D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D003237:Connecticut; D003681:Dehydration / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010414:Pennsylvania; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires