Hydration Status during a Routine Practice Session in a Hot Humid Environment amongst Professional Football Players in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Hydration status is a major concern as it affects the health and performance of athletes. This study was aimed at evaluating the hydration status of professional football players in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State of Nigeria. 30 male and 30 female professional football players and 30 male and 30 female physically active persons aged 18 to 35years were randomly selected for the study. Pre-training urine specific gravity, percentage change in body weight post-training and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated using reagent strips and standard protocol respectively. Results obtained showed that: 90% each of male and female professional football players were found to be minimally to significantly dehydrated prior training; similarly, 60% of physically active males and 53.3% of physically active females were found to be minimally to significantly dehydrated prior training. Percentage change in body weight post training was 3.18± 0.21% for male professional football players and 3.27±0.14% for female professional football players; 2.37±0.10% for physically active males and 2.06±0.11% for physically active females. Percentage change in body weight post training was significantly higher in professional football players compared to physically active persons: male professional football players versus male physically active persons (t= 3.50, p=0.001); female professional football players versus female physically active persons (t=7.67, p=0.001). Our findings are a cause for concern on account of the potential to impair athletic performance and endanger the health of athletes and non-athletes