Effects of hydration status on aerobic performance for a group of male university rugby players

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aldridge G, Baker JS, Davies B. Effects Of Hydration Status On Aerobic Performance For A Group Of Male University Rugby Players. JEP online 2005;8(5):36-42. The object of this study was to examine the effects of hydration status on exercise performance in a group of amateur athletes under conditions of hypohydration (HYPO) and euhydration (EUH) at ‘neutrally stable’ temperatures. Eight healthy, physically active, amateur University rugby players (age 21.0±1.4 yrs, BMI 28.3±6.1 kg/m 2 ) underwent two 12 hr programs of hydration (fluid abstinence and consumption at ~20 °C) in order to induce states of EUH and HYPO. The participants completed two 30 min cycle ergometer tests under each hydration state in a random order. Changes in performance were measured using heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and relative rate of oxygen uptake (VO 2 ). Urine osmolality values (UOsm) were also measured to quantify hydration status. UOsm values were EUH 385±184 mOsm/kg and HYPO 815±110 mOsm/kg. In the EUH condition, from rest to 30 min, HR values ranged from 78±12 to 116±12 beats/min, RPE 6±0 to 11±2 units and VO