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. 2023 Apr 3;15(7):1749.
doi: 10.3390/nu15071749.

Fluid Balance, Sodium Losses and Hydration Practices of Elite Squash Players during Training

Ollie Turner  1   2 , Nigel Mitchell  2 , Alan Ruddock  1 , Alison Purvis  1 , Mayur K Ranchordas  1
Affiliations

Fluid Balance, Sodium Losses and Hydration Practices of Elite Squash Players during Training

Ollie Turner et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Elite squash players are reported to train indoors at high volumes and intensities throughout a microcycle. This may increase hydration demands, with hypohydration potentially impairing many key performance indicators which characterise elite squash performance. Consequently, the main aim of this study was to quantify the sweat rates and sweat [Na+] of elite squash players throughout a training session, alongside their hydration practices. Fourteen (males = seven; females = seven) elite or world class squash player's fluid balance, sweat [Na+] and hydration practices were calculated throughout a training session in moderate environmental conditions (20 ± 0.4 °C; 40.6 ± 1% RH). Rehydration practices were also quantified post-session until the players' next training session, with some training the same day and some training the following day. Players had a mean fluid balance of -1.22 ± 1.22% throughout the session. Players had a mean sweat rate of 1.11 ± 0.56 L·h-1, with there being a significant difference between male and female players (p < 0.05), and a mean sweat (Na+) of 46 ± 12 mmol·L-1. Players training the following day were able to replace fluid and sodium losses, whereas players training again on the same day were not. These data suggest the variability in players hydration demands and highlight the need to individualise hydration strategies, as well as training prescription, to ensure players with high hydration demands have ample time to optimally rehydrate.

Keywords: fluid; hydration; racket sport; salt; sodium; sport nutrition; sport physiology; squash; sweat rate.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Player’s pre-session urine osmolarity. Dotted line denotes 700 mOsmol·kg−1.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Player’s body mass loss/gain during the training session (% body mass).
Figure 3
Figure 3
% of fluid replaced by each player during the training session. Dotted line denotes 100% of fluid replaced during the session.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Players’ sweat [Na+] losses. Number (n) above the symbol denotes player number.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Players post session fluid ingestion in relation to their suggested post session fluid ingestion.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Players post session Na+ ingestion in relation to their suggested post session Na+ ingestion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Grants and funding

No financial support for this research was provided.