Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the hydration status of heat-acclimatized youth team players during a hockey competition. Method and results: Forty male hockey players (age: 12.3 ± 0.5 yrs) had body mass (via weighing scale) and urine specific gravity (UrineSG) (via refractometry) measured immediately pre and post-tournament after playing three matches of 6 min duration on a modified pitch (30 m × 22 m), separated by a rest interval in the shade of 18 min (overall heat exposure was 54 min). The tournament was held in March and during 0830-1130 h in tropical weather conditions (31.5 ± 0.2° C; relative humidity 84.2 ± 0.4%). Chilled mineral water, an isotonic sports drink, a Milo beverage were freely available to players throughout the tournament. Among the players who arrived at the tournament site, 97.5% already showed signs of dehydration (UrineSG > 1.010), increasing to 100% after the tournament. Body mass changes amounted to 3.25% (P < 0.05) demonstrating significant dehydration among players. Heat-acclimatized youth team players are vulnerable to dehydration prior to competition and dehydration was significantly exacerbated after the competition despite the availability of isotonic drinks. Conclusion: Individualized player hydration routines and coach education on the importance of hydration before, during and after tournament are recommended.
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