Hydration Indicators: Analyzing Urine Specific Gravity, Color, and Thirst in Female Athletes Before Training

Abstract

Hydration plays a crucial role in athletic performance and overall health, yet there is a dearth of research specifically focusing on hydration status especially among female athletes in Malaysia. The primary aim of this study was to examine the pre-training hydration status and to investigate the relationship between the urine specific gravity (USG) with urine color (UC) and thirst scale (TS) in female athletes (age 21.6 ± 1.1 years). Thirty varsity athletes from various sports (n = 30, Height: 1.61 ± 6.4 m; Weight: 56.3 ± 8.5 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. Measurements of hydration biomarkers were taken prior to the training session. Urine samples were collected, and a handheld refractometer was used to assess the USG. The thirst level was measured using a 7-point TS and the UC was determined using a Urine Color Chart. The USG assessment indicates the athletes were already in dehydrated condition prior to the training session (1.028 ± 0.2). There was also a significant relationship between USG and UC (r = 0.81, P ≤ 0.05) and UC and TS (r = 0.77, P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of monitoring pre-training hydration in female athletes using practical tools applicable in sports settings. The findings strongly recommend implementing hydration strategies for female athletes to prevent dehydration and enhance athletic performance.