17th Annual Student Research Conference
Human Potential and Performance
A Comparison of Urinary Osmometer and Refractometer Readings of Hydration Among College Soccer Players
Rachel K. Reinhold* and Tyler B. Williams
Dr. Alex J. Koch, Dr. Jerry Mayhew, Ms. Michelle Boyd, Mr. Alf Bilbao, and Mr. Mike Cannon, Faculty Mentors
We compared hydration in athletes using a refractometer and an osmometer. NCAA Division II college soccer players (30 men, 24 women) provided urine samples on the initial day of preseason practice and again after one week of practices. Urine samples were collected prior to evening practice between 1500 and 1800 hours. Specific gravity (SG) was estimated by a Schuco® refractometer, and osmolarity (OsM) was determined using an Advanced Digimatics Model 3300 osmometer. SG was reduced (p< 0.001) between the initial day (M±SD=1.026 ±0.008 g/cc) and final day of practices (1.020 ±0.008 g/cc). OsM was also reduced (p=0.03) between the pre-practice (M±SD= 720 ± 277 Osm) and post-practice (538 ±339 Osm) samples. No gender differences were evident in pre or post measures (p > 0.05). The correlation between the change in SG and OsM was (r=0.981, p<0.001). This data indicates that urinary OS and RF readings reflect similar trends in hydration.
Keywords: hydration, exercise, osmomoter, refractometer
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 32-1
Location: VH 1000
Time: 2:15