Post-match hydration in west African wheelchair basketball athletes: A preliminary study

Abstract

Wheelchair basketball is a major paralympic sport that’s getting more and more popular across sub-Saharan Africa, mainly in Benin and Togo. It is a high-intensity, intermittent sport that subjects athletes to demanding physiological and environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the hydration status of wheelchair basketball players after an international match, conducted in a hot and humid sub-Saharan climate, based on changes in the variation in urine specific gravity (USG) and urine color. A prospective cohort of 23 international players was evaluated (mean age: 32 ± 7.5 years; competitive experience of 7.7 ± 4.6 years). Their mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.3 ± 4.1 kg·m⁻². Participants were monitored during an international wheelchair basketball camp in Porto-Novo, Benin. Urine samples were analyzed using reagent and color charts at three key intervals: baseline (pregame), immediately post-game, and 24 hours post-game. To isolate the physiological effects of match play, participants were stratified into two main groups: Players Group (N=15) and Control Group (N=8). Active players showed a significant post-game increase in urine specific gravity (USG) (ranging across subgroups from 1.020 ± 0.005 to 1.027 ± 0.003; p<0.01), whereas the control group remained stable (1.023 ± 0.003). Before the match even began, urine color tests had indicated signs of dehydration (light-yellow) in most players. In fact, 6 of the 7 players in the Control Group and 5 out of 8 players from the Players Group had light-yellow urine. Fluid intake, quantified by residual volume measurement, ranged from 0.14 L (controls) to 0.97 L (high-playtime players). This preliminary study reveals a high prevalence of pre-exercise hypohydration and highlights inadequate rehydration strategies among players during and after competitive events. The international match induced an acute fluid deficit. While average USG values returned to baseline within 24 hours, visual urine color profiling suggested a multi-stage recovery process for individual players. Implementing routine non-invasive hydration monitoring such as urine color charts, alongside tailored hydration protocols, is critical to safeguard athletes’ health and optimize inclusiveperformance in tropical regions.