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Water makes up about 45-70% of a human body's total weight. It is estimated that 80% of the human brain's tissue is composed of water. Cognitive productivity is altered when the body is in a mere 2% dehydrated state. Several cognitive functions impacted by dehydration include: visual motor tracing, short-term

Water makes up about 45-70% of a human body's total weight. It is estimated that 80% of the human brain's tissue is composed of water. Cognitive productivity is altered when the body is in a mere 2% dehydrated state. Several cognitive functions impacted by dehydration include: visual motor tracing, short-term recall, attentiveness, and mathematic efficiency. It is estimated that 80% of the U.S. adult population endures the majority of their day in a mildly dehydrated state.

Participants were employees working full-time jobs with Arizona State University or Tri Star Motor Company. Employees had to be 18 or older were invited to join the study. Employees participating in the study lived within the the greater Phoenix area. Participants of all races, genders, activity statuses, and BMIs were encouraged to join.

A one-arm, pre-test, post-test study design was utilized. We examined whether the hydration status of participants in the intervention improved or worsened during the course of the intervention, and then attributed any such improvement or deterioration to the intervention. Urine collections from an afternoon sample were gathered before and after the one-week intervention. For the intervention, the participating offices received a water dispensing system in close proximity to employee desk spaces. A reusable water bottle was also given to each participant. Urine specific gravity (USG) was assessed in all urine samples to indicate hydration status, and all participants completed water intake surveys before and after the intervention.

From this study, the overall change in water intake over the course of the one-week intervention was 143 ounces/day. This is an average of adding two and a half 8 oz glasses of water each day of the week per participant. USG also decreased significantly at the end of the intervention in comparison to the baseline value. In the greater body of research, this study strengthens the viability of inputting a hydration station and offering reusable water bottles to employees. This cost-effective method is an easy way to incorporate employee wellness in the workplace. The benefit of employees to drink more water is numerous, including increased focus, mental reactivity, and overall mood and wellness.
ContributorsWildermuth, Kelsi (Author) / Johnston, Carol (Thesis advisor) / Dixon, Kathleen (Committee member) / Levinson, Simin (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2018
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Description
Exposure to sun radiation (SUR) with ambient temperature may be an influencer on athletes’ sweat loss in different environments, but the results are not currently known. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of SUR on fluid balance (FB) and hydration status (HS) in athletes exercising indoors

Exposure to sun radiation (SUR) with ambient temperature may be an influencer on athletes’ sweat loss in different environments, but the results are not currently known. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of SUR on fluid balance (FB) and hydration status (HS) in athletes exercising indoors and outdoors.

Initial FB and HS were assessed in NCAA-DI female soccer athletes (n=10) of a single team in temperate, dry conditions (55-68°F, 18-48% humidity) who were monitored during 3 practices of equal estimated energy expenditure (EE): two outdoors in direct SUR (cold/moderate temperatures) and one indoors without SUR (moderate temperatures). Humidity, temperature, and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT – a measurement partly based on SUR, including ambient temperature/relative humidity) were recorded using Heat Stress Meters placed in the direct sun or in the shade. Each athlete’s semi-nude dry body weight was recorded before and after exercise. Urine samples were taken before, after, and the morning after. Urine specific gravity (USG) was tested to assess HS. Athletes wore combined heart rate and activity monitors to estimate EE and were provided ad libitum water and/or a zero-calorie sports drink. Their total intake included weights of consumed food and drink. Sweat rate was calculated using body weight change and intakes of liquids minus urine losses/hour.

Two-way repeated measures ANOVA analyzed group-level differences. No significance was found in total FB (1.01±0.32 L/hr) or EE/hr (444±97.1 kcal/hr) across all days (p>0.05). In analyzing individual athlete results, 40% had consistent USG >1.025 (p=0.001) suggesting potential dehydration. These 4 athletes selected water as their beverage, of which is known that consuming only water does not stimulate drinking behavior as does electrolyte drinks. The remaining 60% were overall not dehydrated (USG <1.025) but must be aware of incidental dehydration in hotter temperatures.

The conclusion is that in low-moderate temperatures, athletes self-regulate drinking habits and achieve fluid balance during exercise with or without sun radiation. However, athletes with average USG >1.025 are likely to remain dehydrated in moderate temperatures. The findings suggest that more education would benefit these athletes by ensuring hydration in any environment.
ContributorsOlzinski, Stephanie (Author) / Wardenaar, Floris (Thesis advisor) / Johnston, Carol (Committee member) / Yudell, Amber (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2019
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Description
It is widely documented and accepted that athletes have difficulty maintaining adequate hydration status and that dehydration is a key risk factor for the heat-related illnesses commonly observed among athletes. Research has also suggested that hydration status can influence cognitive performance. Educational interventions focused on rehydration strategies have had

It is widely documented and accepted that athletes have difficulty maintaining adequate hydration status and that dehydration is a key risk factor for the heat-related illnesses commonly observed among athletes. Research has also suggested that hydration status can influence cognitive performance. Educational interventions focused on rehydration strategies have had minimal success reducing dehydration rates; hence, alternative interventions promoting adequate hydration status in athletes should be explored. This trial examined the efficacy of a commercial hydration mobile application (app) for reducing dehydration rates in campus athletes. Fifty-eight college students aged 18-40 y, who participated in club-level collegiate athletics were recruited from a large Southwestern university and randomized by team to one of two study arms, the Standard of Care – Education (EDU) or the hydration mobile app (APP), to determine if app technology improved hydration status as compared to traditional education messaging. Twenty-three (79%) in the EDU group and twenty (69%) in the APP group were mildly-dehydrated at baseline based on the three-day averages of hydration assessment (USG 1.010). Moreover, 31% (n=9) and 28% (n=8) of the EDU and APP groups, respectively, were dehydrated (USG 1.020). No significant differences were found between the EDU and APP groups following the intervention. Three-day average post-intervention USG testing showed 76% (n=22) and 72% (n=21) of the EDU and APP groups respectively were at best mildly-dehydrated. Additionally, 28% (n=8) and 17% (n=5) were considered dehydrated. Neither intervention improved hydration status after four weeks of treatment. Further analyses of cognitive measures were conducted by hydration assessment groups at baseline and post-intervention: hydrated (HYD) (USG < 1.020) or dehydrated (DEH) (USG 1.020). No significant differences between hydration status were found between intervention groups. Additionally, no significant improvements were seen for either group, which indicates there is still a need for a novel way to improve hydration status in this population. Multi-dimensional interventions and individualized interventions to improve hydration status in this at-risk population may be more effective. Additional research should be conducted to determine if there is any cognitive performance enhancement associated with dehydration or mild-dehydration by reassessing previous data and conducting future trials.
ContributorsZemek, Kate A (Author) / Johnston, Carol (Thesis advisor) / Hekler, Eric (Committee member) / Mayol-Kreiser, Sandra (Committee member) / Ransdell, Lynda (Committee member) / Swan, Pamela (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2017
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Description
Water is an essential nutrient that is often overlooked. As a result of this hydration status is often forgotten as well. Becoming hypohydrated puts athletes at risk of decreased performance and potentially life-threatening heat illness. Being able to self-assess hydration status is may be instrumental in helping athletes safely optimize

Water is an essential nutrient that is often overlooked. As a result of this hydration status is often forgotten as well. Becoming hypohydrated puts athletes at risk of decreased performance and potentially life-threatening heat illness. Being able to self-assess hydration status is may be instrumental in helping athletes safely optimize performance. Therefore, this study investigated, 1) the ability of an athletic population vs. trained investigators to self-diagnose underhydration, 2) the diagnostic ability of urine color (Ucol) charts as a method for diagnosing underhydration, and 3) the accuracy of participant and investigator assessments. Members of an athletic population each provided a urine sample and scored samples using both the traditional 8-color and newly developed 7-color Ucol chart. Investigators then scored the samples using the same methods. To determine the diagnostic value of the Ucol charts, Ucol scores were compared to concentration measures of Urine Specific Gravity (USG) and Urine Osmolality (Uosm). Differences in participant and investigator scores were compared using Mann-Whitney U and Spearman’s Correlation. Bland-Altman plots were drawn to assess individual differences in reporting against the mean of the two methods. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to both determine the ability of both charts to diagnose underhydration and to determine how well participants and investigators can determine their level of hydration. Athletes reported Ucol significantly lighter compared to investigators. Investigators showed no difference in reporting between the two charts but, athletes reported less than a color shade difference. The charts performed fair (8-color) to good (7-color) at diagnosing hypohydration. Athletes reported with less accuracy compared to investigators, and Ucol classification was found to be more accurate when compared to USG. Ucol charts are a practical tool to determine hydration status. Ucol scoring is similar regardless of the type of chart used. Trained investigators reported with slightly higher accuracy on both charts compared to untrained athletes. Athletes score Ucol fair to good in comparison to investigators. Ucol scoring is similar regardless of the type of chart used. The diagnostic ability of both Ucol charts is good in relation to USG. With education, athletes may be able to improve scores.
ContributorsPesek, Kathryn Margaret (Author) / Wardenaar, Floris (Thesis advisor) / Johnston, Carol (Committee member) / Yudell, Amber (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022