Hydration Status in Men Working in Different Thermal Environments: A Pilot Study.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Human Physiology
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Outdoor workers, such as foresters, are susceptible to dehydration due to environmental exposures.
• Understanding hydration status fluctuations across seasons and work schedules is crucial for occupational health.
• Previous research has not comprehensively assessed these combined factors in outdoor laborers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of different seasons (summer, autumn, winter) and time of day (before vs. after work) on male foresters' hydration.
• To identify specific hydration markers affected by seasonal and diurnal variations in an outdoor occupational setting.

Main Methods:

• Sixty male foresters working outdoors were monitored over three seasons.
• Hydration status was assessed using body mass, total body water, serum osmolality, urine osmolality, urine-specific gravity, urine color, and thirst.
• Measurements were taken before work (baseline), after work, and the following morning.

Main Results:

• Urine-specific gravity significantly decreased after work compared to baseline and the next morning.
• Serum osmolality was elevated after work in winter and before work in autumn compared to summer.
• A substantial proportion of foresters presented with inadequate hydration, especially in cooler seasons.

Conclusions:

• Hydration status in foresters is demonstrably influenced by both the time of day and the season.
• Inadequate hydration is a prevalent issue, particularly pronounced during colder seasons and at the end of the workday.
• Findings underscore the importance of implementing tailored hydration protocols for outdoor workers, considering seasonal and diurnal variations.