Author(s): NOUTSOS, K., MAKRI, A., MELETAKOS, P., PAPAVASILEIOU, A., KEPESIDOU, M., Institution: NATIONAL & KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS, Country: GREECE, Abstract-ID: 924

INTRODUCTION:
Dehydration, when combined with exercise, impairs the functioning of the body. A fluid loss of ≥2% of body mass during exercise affects athletic performance (Sawka et al. 2007). The hydration status of handball athletes and how it affects performance parameters in this sport has not been sufficiently studied. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of a reduced hydration level on physiological responses and performance parameters of high-level handball athletes.

METHODS:
Hydration status was checked before and after handball training in 50 high-level athletes. The main part of the study involved 10 handball players, aged 20-32, who, after undergoing anthropometric measurements and a VO2max test (YYIRT1), performed performance tests related to the specific demands of the sport with simultaneous measurement of physiological parameters, under two different conditions: a) fully hydrated and b) mildly dehydrated. Urine measurements, weighing, and recording of thirst sensation were conducted at the beginning and at the end. The data was analyzed using a paired samples t-test and two-way repeated measures ANOVA. The significance level was set at p<0.05.
RESULTS:
Approximately 35% of the sample 50 athletes started handball training with mild dehydration of 1-2%, about 65% with significant dehydration, and at the end of the training, approximately 25% had severe dehydration. With the achievement of 2% dehydration, as checked by body weight loss and changes in urinary markers and thirst sensation, cognitive function significantly decreased (p<0.001), while maximum isometric hand strength and agility were not affected (p>0.05). In a simulated handball movement protocol (Wagner et al. 2014), heart rate increased significantly (p<0.001), while no changes were observed in perceived fatigue (Borgs scale) (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION:
It is concluded that dehydration is a common condition in high-level handball athletes and that even mild dehydration negatively affects performance parameters in handball. Athletes need education on careful fluid intake before, during, and after training/matches.

Sawka, M.N.; Burke, L.M.; Eichner, E.R.; Maughan, R.J.; Montain, S.J.; Stachenfeld, N.S. American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand. Exercise and Fluid Replacement. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2007, 39, 377–390.
Wagner, H.; Orwat, M.; Hinz, M.; Pfusterschmied, J.; Bacharach, D.W.; von Duvillard, S.P.; Müller, E. Testing game-based performance in team-handball. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2016, 30, 2794–2801.