The main objectives are to determine sweat sodium concentration \[Na+\], whole body sweat rate (WBSR) and rate of sweat sodium loss (RSSL) in female athletes aged 13 and above during their normal planned training session across various sports (basketball, soccer, volleyball, cheer, flag football and softball).
The testing procedures will follow the standardized Gatorade Sports Sciences GSSI sweat testing protocol using the absorbent sweat patch technique, to measure local sweat \[Na+\], which will be normalized to whole-body sweat \[Na+\]. Whole-body sweat rate (WBSR) will be calculated based on changes in exercise body mass, pre to post training, and adjusted for food and fluid intake, as well as urine and stool loss. The rate of sweat sodium loss (RSSL) will be determined as the product of sweat \[Na+\] and WBSR. Secondary outcomes are pre-exercise hydration status measured by urine specific gravity (USG) and estimation of menstrual cycle phase collected by self-report date of last menstrual cycle. Athletes will complete a single day of testing, unless a repeat test is requested by the team's performance staff. In this case, athletes will undergo the exact same protocol as described above.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
500
Wear sweat patch during regular team sports practice session
Gatorade Sports Science Institute
Chicago, Illinois, United States
RECRUITINGRegional sweat [Na+]
Absorbent patch technique (3M TegadermTM + Pad; 3M, St. Paul, MN; pad size 10 cm2 with an absorbent capacity of \~1.3 g) to left and right dorsal arm. An additional patch on the right scapula may be added depending on the accessibility to the sites on the body and the nature of the sport. Analyzed using a HORIBA (LAQUAtwin Na-11)
Time frame: One day from start through end of a single coach-led normal training practice session. Practice duration will be dictated by coaching staff.
Whole body sweat rate (WBSR) WBSR
Pre- versus post body mass on scale, taking into account food and fluid intake, urine and stool output
Time frame: One day from start through end of a single coach-led training normal training practice session. Practice duration will be dictated by coaching staff.A
Rate of sweat sodium loss (RSSL)
The rate of sodium sweat loss (RSSL) will be determined as the product of sweat \[Na+\] and whole-body sweat rate (WBSR)
Time frame: One day from start through end of a single coach-led normal training practice session. Duration will be dictated by coaching staff.
Urine specific gravity (USG)
Unit not applicable
Time frame: Pre-exercise at one coach-led normal training practice session.
Fluid intake
Weighing pre-filled bottles before and after exercise, beverage choice of water, and Gatorade, or G2
Time frame: One day from start through end of a single coach-led normal training practice session. Duration will be dictated by coaching staff.
Carbohydrate intake
Grams of carbohydrate consumed through food and beverages
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Time frame: One day from start through end of a single coach-led normal training practice session. Duration will be dictated by coaching staff.