Effect of Hydration Education on College Athlete's Hydration Status and KAP

Proper hydration is essential for both mental and physical performance. The purpose of this study was to determine if hydration education would improve hydration status in collegiate athletes. A total of 120 college athletes, 60 each male and female, 30 each served as the control group (C) and as the intervention (I) group. A pretested questionnaire was used to evaluate the hydration knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of the athletes. Changes in percent body weight change ( %BWC) and Urine colour (UC) were specifically used to determine hydration status. After baseline testing, intervention group attended education program on hydration. A significant difference in hydration KAP and hydration status was observed between both male and female control and intervention group. The women athletes scored significantly higher in hydration knowledge and total KAP scores, Male athletes improved significantly better in hydration status than female athletes. It is concluded that hydration education positively affected fluid intake habits, hydration knowledge, attitude and thereby the hydration status of both male and female college athletes.