The aim of this master's thesis was to assess the hydration status of soccer players under real training conditions and to evaluate the usefulness of body mass measurements for assessing dehydration. The study included 18 soccer players. Measurements were conducted during a training session in the competitive season. Hydration status was assessed with body mass measurements before and after training, determination of urine specific gravity with a refractometer and urine test strips, and monitoring of fluid intake and water losses during training. The average total water loss amounted to 0.80 ± 0.34 L, while the average fluid intake during training was 0.21 ± 0.19 L. In 16 of the 18 soccer players, fluid losses during training were not fully replaced, as the average uncompensated fluid loss amounted to 0.59 ± 0.33 L. The average relative total water loss was 1.11 ± 0.52 % of body mass, with one player exceeding 2 %. Comparison of the methods used to determine urine specific gravity demonstrated that the refractometer and urine test strips detected changes in the same direction in 15 of the 18 players. The results indicate that water losses occurring during training are often not fully compensated, which may increase the risk of hypohydration. Body mass measurement proved to be a useful and practical method for monitoring changes in hydration status in soccer players.
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