Water is considered the most essential nutrient to sustain life and is an important factor to consider in the realm of sport performance, particularly in hot environmental conditions. Previous research has extensively examined the impact on changes in hydration status on cognitive and physical performance during exercise in various environmental conditions. Further, this research is also accompanied by evidence exploring various methods to assess hydration status and the contexts in which these methods should be used to determine an accurate body water measure. Despite the expansive research in these areas, limited research is available exploring fluid intake behaviors in athletes during and outside sport participation, and how age and sex impacts athlete fluid intake behaviors across the lifespan. Also, given the limitations surrounding hydration assessment techniques and methodologies, there is a pressing need to further explore novel technologies and methodologies that can be used to accurately determine changes in total body water during sport and physical activity.
There remains a gap in the current literature regarding the identification of factors, within and outside sport participation, influencing fluid intake behaviors in athletes across the lifespan. Further, with the importance of optimal hydration on athletic performance (cognitive and physical), continued efforts are needed to determine effective methods for monitoring hydration status during sport participation. Thus, the aim of this Research Topic is to collect research articles that examine 1) the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors associated with hydration and fluid intake among athletes, and 2) determining effective hydration assessment techniques and methodologies to optimize athlete health and performance.
Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):
- Motivations, attitudes and/or barriers of athletes surrounding hydration on athlete (recreational and competitive/elite) performance and long-term health
- Investigations on the impact of social, physical, and environmental contexts on fluid intake behaviors in athletes (recreational and competitive/elite)
- Investigations on the efficacy of novel hydration assessment technologies and methodologies
- Knowledge of athletes and/or athletic staff (i.e., coaches, strength and conditioning, sports medicine) on adequate fluid intake during and outside sport and physical activity
- Investigations on the efficacy of multi-disciplinary team-based approaches to optimize fluid intake behaviors in athletes (recreational and competitive/elite)
- Investigations exploring the impact of hydration strategies on cognitive and physical performance
- Investigations exploring the effects of age and sex on differences on fluid intake behaviors and hydration status in athletes (recreational and competitive/elite)
William Adams has previously received grant funding from the following private companies: Statim Technologies LLC, Techguard LLC, and QCK LLC. He has also received consulting fees from the following private companies: Gatorade, Clif Bar & Company, Samsung, and BSX Athletics. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.
