Hydration Status of Elite Youth Soccer Players: Training Versus FIFA Competition

Abstract

Optimal hydration is crucial for maintaining health and athletic performance in young soccer players. This requires constant monitoring by medical and sports teams during training sessions and competitions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine hydration status based on variations in body weight, fluid intake, and urine specific gravity during three training sessions and a FIFA competition in elite U-17 youth soccer players, national team members. Methods: Twenty-one elite soccer players, aged 17.2 ± 0.29 years, with a body weight of 72.1 ± 6.95 kg and a height of 1.80 ± 0.05 m, participated in the study. To determine hydration status, percentage weight loss, fluid intake, and urine density were measured during three training sessions and one FIFA-level competition. Results: Differences in body weight were observed in two of the training sessions, with greater variation in the competition (3.5% of BW, p < 0.001). Significant differences were found between weight losses in training sessions vs. matches. An increase in initial weight was associated with lower urine density. Regression coefficients showed that differences in body weight can predict urine density during training and competition (p < 0.05). A decrease in final body weight could be a valid indicator as a predictor of higher urinary density. © 2025 by the authors.