Comparing Education and Prescribed Fluid Intake to Improve Hydration in High School Athletes Aged 13-19

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying dehydration in high school athletes aged 13 to 19 years to understand how fluid intake education versus prescribed hydration affects their hydration status. The study focuses on adolescent boys and girls playing indoor and outdoor sports, aiming to clarify challenges to proper hydration in different environments. Previous findings showed many athletes arrive hypohydrated, but the weekly effects of training in heat are not well known. The study uses a randomized, parallel design with four sports groups indoor girls, indoor boys, outdoor girls, and outdoor boys. Each group of 36 athletes is assigned to one of three conditions no intervention, hydration education, or hydration education plus prescribed fluid intake. Practices occur three times weekly over two weeks with at least 48 hours between sessions. The prescribed hydration group receives bottled water the evening before and two hours before practice. Participants will have their urine specific gravity measured before practice across six sessions to assess hydration. Body weight changes, thirst levels, and fluid intake logs for the prescribed group are also recorded. Researchers will evaluate these outcomes to understand hydration status and behaviors. The study is sponsored by PepsiCo Global R&D and runs until June 2025.

Efficacy of Education Versus Education Plus Prescribed Fluid Intake on Hydration Status in High School Athletes