Profile of Pre-Practice Hydration Status of Indonesian Junior Sub-Elite Karate Athletes: Pilot Study

摘要

Karate is high intensity sport which often leads to dehydration. The purpose of this study was to identify pre-practice hydration status of Indonesian junior sub-elite karate athletes. This descriptive cross-sectional research recruited junior (under-17) sub-elite karate athletes in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The population sample entailed eleven players (6 male; 5 female, age 14.09 ± 2.34 years, weight 50.14 ± 10.85 kg, height 1.55 ± 0.11 m, BMI 20.65 ± 2.03 kg/m~2). Hydration status was checked by urine specific gravity (USG) using urine strip test 15-30 minutes before training started. The values of USG were compared with the reference value to categorize the hydration status into good hydration (USG < 1.010), minimal dehydration (1.010 - 1.020), and significant dehydration (1.021 - 1.030). The study established that 90.9% (n = 10) of the participants suffered from dehydration and 10.1% (n=1) had good hydration before training. Six from 10 dehydrated athletes (60%) were categorized into minimal dehydration and the rest (40%; n = 4) were of significant dehydration. Incidence of pre-practice dehydration among junior sub-elite karate athletes in Indonesia was high. Education and promotive strategies are needed to prevent the risk of dehydration during exercise.