Automated Urinal-Based Specific Gravity Measurement Device for Real-Time Hydration Monitoring in Male Athletes

Abstract

Acute and chronic hydration status is important for athlete safety and performance and is frequently measured by sports scientists and performance staff in team environments via urinalysis. However, the time required for urine collection, staff testing, and reporting often delays immediate reporting and personalized nutrition insight in situations of acute hydration management before training or competition. Furthermore, the burdensome urine collection and testing process often renders chronic hydration monitoring sporadic or non-existent in real-world settings. An automated urinalysis device (InFlow) was developed to measure specific gravity, an index of hydration status, in real-time during urination. The device was strongly correlated to optical refractometry with a mean absolute error of 0.0029 (±0.0021). Our results show this device provides a novel and useful approach for real-time hydration status via urinalysis for male athletes in team environments with high testing frequency demands.

Rapid discrimination of urine specific gravity using spectroscopy and a modified combination method based on SPA and spectral index

“…Figure 2B shows the average spectra of the normal and abnormal categories, with the abnormal category having higher absorbance values. This phenomenon may be due to the higher solute content of the abnormal category (especially urochrome), resulting in increased urine absorbance [37]. These results provide the possibility for spectral analysis to USG.…”

A Narrative Review of the Link between Sport and Technology

“…• optimization of sports training [46] • designing optimized training programs [47] • training and performance optimization [48] Functional index monitoring • real-time measurement of the hydration status index [19] • energy consumption during competitive periods [16] • nutritional strategies to ensure sufficient energy availability [52] Managing training tasks…”