Annually, more than 200 hikers are rescued in the greater Phoenix area. This study examined behavior influencing acute hydration status in hot (HOT) and moderate (MOD) climates, by examining fluid planning and decision making in combination with an educational video. A total of n=115 hikers completed self-paced hikes, n=56 hikers completed the hike in a HOT condition (wet bulb globe temperature [WBGT]=24.84°C) and n=59 hikers completed the hike in a MOD condition (WBGT=8.28°C). Real food and fluid behavior allowed participants to freely select the amount of food and fluid brought on the hike and intake was ad libitum. The following heat stress indicators were all significantly higher in the HOT condition compared to MOD condition (HOT median, MOD median; p-value): hike duration (1.48, 1.20; p<0.01), energy expenditure (561, 408, p<0.01), sweat rate (776, 465, p<0.01), and session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scores (1177, 732, p<0.01). After watching a 3-minute hydration education video, and the opportunity to stock up on extra fluid, 54% of participants carried sufficient fluid in the HOT condition to meet their needs compared to 81% of participants in the MOD condition. However, only 23% of participants in the HOT condition consumed sufficient fluid to make up for fluid lost through sweating compared to 33% in the MOD condition. More than half of participants in the HOT condition (59%) and the MOD condition (76%) did not stock up on extra fluid after education. These results demonstrate that hikers did not consume sufficient fluids to meet their needs while hiking, especially in a hot climate. They also show heat stress negatively affected hikers’ performance measures. More research is required to assess the feasibility and efficacy of hydration related education videos at trailheads.

The study aimed to determine the relationship of subjective perception of wellness (Intrinsic Fatigue) and Global Positioning Satellite derived workload amongst elite high school soccer players. Twenty-nine (16.4 ± 1.54 years) male participants completed a mobile app-based wellness questionnaire comprising of 6 subjective markers prior to 10 workload variables being measured by STATSports 10Hz GPS units later that same day. Only instances where both wellness and GPS reports qualified for analyses (N=231 exposures). No significant differences were reported in reported wellness within- or between-weeks (p > 0.05) with average Effect Sizes (ES) ranging from 0.001 to 0.15. Total Distance (TD) was significantly different (p < 0.05) within week. All GPS variables except TD and Distance per Minute (DpM) were significantly different (p < 0.05) between-weeks. Average GPS ES sizes ranged from 0.02 to 0.58. Wellness and GPS or it’s ESs were not correlated, with correlations ranging from -1.000 to 0.207. The results suggest monitoring of GPS reports to be a practical method of monitoring variation in player workload but does not support subjective questionnaires as a means of monitoring player wellness reflecting these workload variations in youth populations.

Background: Inadequate hydration can have several adverse effects on health. In children, it can negatively affect their health and cognitive performance. The effects of fruits and vegetables on the hydration of children have not been adequately studied. This study included 177 children in this age group and examined the contribution of fruits and vegetables (F&V) on total water intake (TWI).

Methods: Two-day dietary and fluid intake records as well as 24-h urine samples were collected from 177 children over different weekends. The dietary records were analyzed with Nutrition Data System for Research to obtain TWI from food (TWI-F) as well as TWI from fruits and vegetables (TWI-FV). The fluid intake data was used to determine TWI from liquids (TWI-L). The urine samples were analyzed for volume (UVol), urine osmolality (UOsm), urine specific gravity (USG), and urine color (UCol) to examine hydration. Age was categorized into 3, 4-8, and 9-13 y based on the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

Results: About 52% of the children did not meet water intake recommendations by IOM and 39.8% of the children were underhydrated based on elevated urine osmolality. The average TWI was found to be 1,911± 70 mL. TWI-F was observed to be 492±257 mL, while TWI-L was 1,419±702 mL. TWI-FV only contributed 200±144 mL. As expected TWI was significantly higher in the older children (9-13 y) than children in other age group (3 and 4-8 y). The average UVol was 709±445 mL, USG was 1.019±0.006, UOsm was 701±233 mOsm·kg-1, and UCol was a 3±1 (based on the urine color chart). Only urine volume seemed to be influenced by the age of the children as it was significantly higher for the children in the 9-13 y age group.

Conclusion: Nearly half of the children did not meet water recommendations by IOM and were underhydrated. Fruits and vegetables did not have a significant contribution to TWI. Dietary interventions to increase F&V consumption, lower consumption of SSB, as well as maintain proper hydration may benefit the health of children.