Analysis of hydration patterns of elite gymnasts. Intervention to improve performance

Introduction: Male artistic gymnastics is a sport practiced individually with 6 different apparatus. It is a modality of high intensity and impact. Adequate hydration is important to avoid a decrease in performance and to reduce the risk of fatigue injuries. Material and method: The hydration patterns of the Spanish artistic gymnastics team are analyzed during training, their individual liquid requirements are calculated, and a personalized hydration is prescribed, with the aim of improve performance. In the research, 9 male elite gymnasts participated. Each one completed 2 equal workouts separated by one week; the first with his usual hydration pattern (HAB) and the second one with an individualized hydration, according to the calculation of their needs with sport drink (POW). All were weighed, and measured the specific gravity and osmolality of urine, before and after training; At the end of each session a rated perceived exertion questionnaire (RPE) was passed and a performance test was carried out. Results: It is observed that: i) POW significantly increased the drink intake in comparison to HAB during training (HAB: 0.57 ± 0.2 L, POW: 0.90 ± 0.2 L), ii) POW increased the number of pull-ups and total repetitions (HAB: 67.13 ± 4.9 repetitions, POW: 72.63 ± 5.7 repetitions), iii) HAB reduced body mass significantly after training iv) POW presented lower values of urine specific gravity after training and the% of body mass lost was negligible (HAB: 0.44 ± 0.2%, POW: 0.01 ± 0.1%), v) There were no differences in the urine osmolality, the PSE, the number of repetitions in hanging pikes and handstand push-ups between HAB and POW. Conclusion: Individualized hydration for each athlete with the appropriate drink improves performance during training. © 2018 Archivos de Medicina del Deporte. All Rights Reserved.Sin financiaciónNo data JCR 20180.192 SJR (2018) Q4, 145/209 Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, 116/125 Sports Science, 206/289 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine0.351 IDR (2018) C3, 26/43 DeporteUE