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

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.

dehydration, student athletes, female, urine specific gravity

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