Intravenous fluids and their use in sport: A position statement from the Australian Institute of Sport

The use of intravenous fluids in out-of-hospital settings has evolved from the practices used by military and emergency response teams. When used in the elite sporting environment, IV fluid use must comply with the World Anti-Doping Code. Uncertainty can arise as clinicians seek to balance the appropriate use of IV fluids in delivering athlete care against the need for World Anti-Doping Code compliance.

This position statement reviews the current literature and incorporates clinical experiences to present best-practice recommendations on the clinical use of Intravenous fluids in the elite sport environment, framing recommendations in the context of the World Anti-Doping Code.

The World Anti-Doping Code restricts the use of Intravenous fluids in athletes under certain conditions. This report takes into account the World Anti-Doping Code and the risks of Intravenous fluid administration to provide guidelines around the judicious use of IV fluids for: 1. Treatment of severe dehydration in an athlete, 2. Management of exertional heat illness in an athlete, 3. Hypovolaemia because of trauma in sport, 4. Administering medications.