The Effects of Intermittent Water Consumption and Restriction on Serum Electrolyte Levels in Professional Football Players During Competition

Selcuk University22 enrolled

Overview

Background: In sports requiring intense physical exertion, particularly in endurance-based disciplines such as football, exercise-induced fluid and electrolyte losses can have adverse effects on thermoregulation, cardiovascular stability, and neuromuscular functions. Failure to balance these losses with adequate and timely rehydration increases the risk of performance decrement and injury. Although the literature indicates that intermittent and individualized fluid intake can mitigate these physiological effects, experimental studies conducted under field conditions with professional athletes remain limited. In this context, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of intermittent water consumption administered during competition on exercise-induced changes in body weight and basic serum electrolyte levels (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl-) in professional football players. Methods: Twenty-two male football players participated in the study and were randomly assigned to either the experimental (intermittent water intake, n=11) or control (ad libitum water intake, n=11) group. Both groups played a 90-minute match; body weight and serum electrolyte levels were measured before and after the competition. The experimental group was provided with a total of 10 mL/kg of plain water, administered before the match and at half-time.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Intermittent Water Intake

Eligibility

Sex: MALEMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Male professional football players. * Actively playing for Anadolu Selçukspor in the Turkish Football Federation 2nd League. * Training at a professional level. * Having no reported health problems. * Voluntary participation in the study. * Providing written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Having any health problem that could affect participation in the football match or study measurements. * Having an injury or medical condition preventing participation in exercise. * Refusal to participate or failure to provide written informed consent. * Not completing the match protocol or pre- and post-competition measurements.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Serum Electrolyte Levels

Change in serum sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride levels from before to after the 90-minute football match. Venous blood samples were collected before and immediately after the competition to evaluate exercise-induced changes in serum electrolyte balance.

Time frame: Before and immediately after the 90-minute football match

Secondary Outcomes

Change in Body Weight

Change in body weight from before to after the 90-minute football match. Body weight was measured before and after the competition to estimate exercise-induced fluid loss.