What do athletes drink during competitive sporting activities?

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Expert guidelines for sports fluid intake exist but their practical application is debated.
• Limited research focuses on self-selected hydration strategies of elite athletes during competition.
• Variability in fluid intake and sweat losses is common across and within sporting events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on self-selected hydration strategies in sporting competitions.
• To determine practical and valued hydration practices by athletes.
• To identify factors influencing fluid intake opportunities and adherence to guidelines.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on athlete hydration practices during sporting competitions.
• Analysis of fluid intake, body mass changes, and sweat losses.
• Examination of factors influencing drinking opportunities and athlete choices.

Main Results:

• Typical practices limit body mass loss to ~2% in non-elite athletes, but elite athletes may experience greater losses (>5%) in endurance events.
• Fluid intake opportunities are often constrained by event rules, tactics, and physiological needs, questioning true ad libitum drinking.
• Athletes may prioritize performance over strict adherence to hydration guidelines, taking calculated risks.
• Some athletes may begin events with a fluid deficit due to inadequate rehydration or weight-making strategies.

Conclusions:

• Real-world sports hydration is complex, with athletes balancing risks and benefits of fluid intake.
• Elite athletes may adopt strategies that differ from guidelines, potentially involving calculated dehydration for performance.
• Further research on real-life hydration practices and motivations is needed to establish optimal strategies for different athlete levels.