Hydration habits among amateur cyclists in Ubá - MG: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hydration is essential for maintaining fluid and electrolyte homeostasis and performance in long-distance races. In cycling, ensuring adequate water intake is essential, but there is still little data on this topic among amateur cyclists in Brazil.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the consumption and hydration habits of cyclists in the Ubá region of Minas Gerais.
METHODOLOGY: Thirty-four cyclists who had been cycling for at least six months were selected. A questionnaire containing 17 questions was administered to assess their level of knowledge about hydration.
RESULTS: The results show that 61.7% of the cyclists reported hydrating during training and 64.8% during competition. Water consumption was predominant before (70.6%) and after (67.6%) the exercise session, while carbohydrate drinks were consumed more frequently during exercise (41.2%). Fluid intake occurred mostly before the sensation of thirst (76.5%). Only 8.8% of cyclists reported weighing themselves before and after training sessions. Hydration during training and competitions showed similar patterns. The main sources of guidance reported were physical education teachers (26.5%) and friends (23.5%). Among the symptoms of dehydration reported, intense thirst, a feeling of loss of strength, and generalized fatigue stood out.
CONCLUSION: The results indicate that, although many cyclists have an adequate understanding of the importance of hydration, there are still gaps in the practices adopted. This reinforces the need for educational strategies that encourage adequate fluid replacement before, during, and after exercise, aiming both at improving performance and preventing dehydration.