Changes in hydration status of elite Olympic class sailors in different climates and the effects of different fluid replacement beverages

Abstract

BackgroundOlympic class sailing poses physiological challenges similar to other endurance sports such as cycling or running, with sport specific challenges of limited access to nutrition and hydration during competition. As changes in hydration status can impair sports performance, examining fluid consumption patterns and fluid/electrolyte requirements of Olympic class sailors is necessary to develop specific recommendations for these elite athletes. The purpose of this study was to examine if Olympic class sailors could maintain hydration status with self-regulated fluid consumption in cold conditions and the effect of fixed fluid intake on hydration status in warm conditions.MethodsIn our cold condition study (CCS), 11 elite Olympic class sailors were provided ad libitum access to three different drinks. Crystal Light (control, C); Gatorade (experimental control, G); and customized sailing-specific Infinit (experimental, IN) (1.0:0.22 CHO:PRO), were provided on three separate training days in cold 7.1°C [4.2 – 11.3]. Our warm condition study (WCS) examined the effect of fixed fluid intake (11.5 mL.kg.-1.h-1) of C, G and heat-specific experimental Infinit (INW)(1.0:0.074 CHO:PRO) on the hydration status of eight elite Olympic Laser class sailors in 19.5°C [17.0 - 23.3]. Both studies used a completely random design.ResultsIn CCS, participants consumed 802 ± 91, 924 ± 137 and 707 ± 152 mL of fluid in each group respectively. This did not change urine specific gravity, but did lead to a main effect for time for body mass (p < 0.001), blood sodium, potassium and chloride with all groups lower post-training (p < 0.05). In WCS, fixed fluid intake increased participant’s body mass post-training in all groups (p < 0.01) and decreased urine specific gravity post-training (p < 0.01). There was a main effect for time for blood sodium, potassium and chloride concentration, with lower values observed post-training (p < 0.05). C blood sodium concentrations were lower than the INW group post-training (p = 0.031) with a trend towards significance in the G group (p = 0.069).ConclusionAd libitum fluid consumption in cold conditions was insufficient in preventing a decrease in body mass and blood electrolyte concentration post-training. However, when a fixed volume of 11.5 mL.kg.-1.h-1 was consumed during warm condition training, hydration status was maintained by preventing changes in body mass and urine specific gravity.

Analysis of Sports Supplements Consumption in Young Spanish Elite Dinghy Sailors

“…Both supplements are important for the replenishment of nutrients and hydration during competition periods, providing energy and nutrients when it is not practical to consume daily foods due to the limitation of the boat in the case of the bars, and seeking to counteract the high sweating rates generated by the typical weather conditions of this sport in the case of sports drinks [41,42]. In addition, the use of these two SS can prevent the deterioration of endurance, strength, blood volume, and cognitive function during competition [43]. It should also be added that, among the most consumed SS, caffeine and dextrose also stand out, which are also often used during competition [1,44].…”

“…In addition, the characteristics of the competitions, the boats, and the weather conditions in dinghy sailing can also lead to the inclusion of supplements of the sports foods category of Group A, such as drinks and sports gels, sports bars, liquid foods or whey protein. The inclusion of sports drinks is essential to restore the sailor's hydroelectrolytic balance [65] and, thus, to alleviate one of the most frequent problems during sailing competitions, i.e., dehydration, and the consequent deterioration of performance and health of the sailor [16][17][18]43]. In addition, these drinks should include carbohydrates, which, added to their electrolytes, prevent the deterioration of endurance, strength, blood volume, and cognitive function in competitions of this duration [43,66].…”

“…The inclusion of sports drinks is essential to restore the sailor's hydroelectrolytic balance [65] and, thus, to alleviate one of the most frequent problems during sailing competitions, i.e., dehydration, and the consequent deterioration of performance and health of the sailor [16][17][18]43]. In addition, these drinks should include carbohydrates, which, added to their electrolytes, prevent the deterioration of endurance, strength, blood volume, and cognitive function in competitions of this duration [43,66]. The inclusion of sports foods such as bars or liquid meals can help the maintenance and replenishment of muscle glycogen, essential for maintaining performance and important in the light sail that includes multiple competition sessions on the same day or on successive days [43,65].…”

“…In addition, these drinks should include carbohydrates, which, added to their electrolytes, prevent the deterioration of endurance, strength, blood volume, and cognitive function in competitions of this duration [43,66]. The inclusion of sports foods such as bars or liquid meals can help the maintenance and replenishment of muscle glycogen, essential for maintaining performance and important in the light sail that includes multiple competition sessions on the same day or on successive days [43,65]. Due to the long duration of some of these competitions (sometimes longer than 5 h), protein and carbohydrate co-management is necessary to avoid prolonged periods of muscle protein degradation, especially when the competition lasts several successive days, helping in turn to reduce the muscle damage produced and to improve post-exercise recovery [43,65,66].…”

Progressive Dehydration in Junior Laser Class Sailors During World Championship

“…Slater and Tan reported dehydration greater than 2% of body weight in sailors, potentially leading to performance decrements (Slater & Tan, 2007). Lewis et al reported significant body mass losses in competitive sailors even in cold conditions despite ad libitum fluid intake (Lewis, Fraser, Thomas, & Wells, 2013). The current investigation shows similar results for hydration status when observed separately each day of the competition.…”