Acute hyperhydration reduces athlete biological passport OFF-hr score

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Anti-Doping Research
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Anecdotal evidence suggests athletes hyperhydrate to mask prohibited substances and obscure blood parameter fluctuations.
• The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) is used to monitor biological variables for doping detection.
• The impact of acute hyperhydration on ABP parameters requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the effects of acute hyperhydration on parameters within the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).
• To determine if hyperhydration can reduce the sensitivity of the ABP in detecting doping.

Main Methods:

• Twenty subjects received recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) for 3 weeks.
• Following rhEPO washout, subjects ingested either normal water (∼270 mL) or a 1000 mL water bolus.
• Blood variables were measured at 20, 40, 60, and 80 minutes post-ingestion, with a crossover design.

Main Results:

• Acute hyperhydration (1000 mL water) reduced the ABP OFF-hour by approximately 4%, 3%, and 2% at 40, 60, and 80 minutes, respectively (P < 0.05).
• The percentage of subjects identified with atypical blood profiles decreased significantly after hyperhydration compared to normal water intake.
• Hyperhydration reduced the sensitivity of the ABP in detecting abnormal blood profiles.

Conclusions:

• Acute hyperhydration significantly impacts ABP parameters, specifically reducing the OFF-hour.
• Hyperhydration decreases the sensitivity of the Athlete Biological Passport, potentially aiding in the masking of doping.
• These findings highlight the need to consider hydration status in anti-doping strategies.