Innovations in Hydration for Athletic Performance

Description

In the field of sports nutrition, there is always some new product that catches the eyes of athletes and practitioners. These sometimes pull focus away from the basics of proper fueling and hydration. Sport practitioners educate athletes to follow established fluid recommendations, but current research has found that around 70% of athletes are still dehydrated before practice. Therefore, this session would bring light to the importance of monitoring pre-exercise hydration status and improvements in fluid recommendations. A study conducted in the Division I collegiate athletic setting evaluated the efficacy of a new pre-exercise fluid recommendation based on hydration level, determined using urine specific gravity. We found a significant improvement in hydration status following this intervention. The feasibility of this fluid recommendation can be utilized by all collegiate athletic programs. Furthermore, this session will investigate how dietitians can consolidate and effectively equip athletes with applicable information for reaching their hydration-related goals. We don’t want to overwhelm our athletes with numbers!

Learning Objectives

Evaluate the latest hydration research and areas of improvement for fluid recommendations based on hydration assessment methods

Determine hydration status and appropriate fluid intervention strategies specific to pre-exercise

Critique educational strategies to promote optimal pre-exercise hydration for athletes

Performance Indicators

8.1 Interprets and applies current food and nutrition science in nutrition and dietetics practice

4.1 Demonstrates sound professional judgment and strategic thinking in practice

8.3 Applies the required knowledge and skill for safe and effective sports nutrition and dietetics practice and exercise training

Speaker(s)

Peyton Dixon

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Washington University in St. Louis

Samantha Kostelnik

Director of Sports Nutrition

Oklahoma State University

Moderator

Melinda Valliant

Associate Dean and Professor

University of Mississippi

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