Changes in body weight and urine specific gravity due to a race in college triathletes, who are aware of the need for heat countermeasures

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not awareness of university triathletes on heat-related measures prevented their dehydration. The parameters measured and compared to attain this objective were the rate of weight loss and urine specific gravity before and after the race. Six male collegiate triathletes completed a questionnaire on heat countermeasures, and their urine specific gravity and body weight were measured at different time points before and after the race. Urine specific gravity on the day after the race was significantly higher than that on the day of the race (p<0.05). The average rate of weight loss between immediately before the race and immediately after the race was 3.6%. A new study showed that college triathlon athletes were dehydrated despite their knowledge on heat protection.