Effects of Environmental Conditions, Core Temperature, and Hydration Status on Women’s Soccer Performance
A summary of the research:
The article "Effects of Environmental Conditions, Core Temperature, and Hydration Status on Women’s Soccer Performance" examines the impact of heat, hydration, and core body temperature on NCAA Division III women’s soccer players during preseason training. Using wearable technology and environmental measurements, the study tracked factors such as training load, heart rate, hydration, and changes in body mass. Results showed that training intensity was strongly influenced by perceived exertion, body mass loss due to sweating, maximum heart rate, and fluctuations in heat stress (ΔWBGT). However, sleep quality and core temperature fluctuations did not significantly impact performance, suggesting that other physiological and environmental factors play a more direct role in determining workload intensity during training sessions.
The findings emphasize the importance of managing environmental conditions and hydration to optimize performance and reduce health risks. Coaches and trainers are encouraged to schedule practices during cooler times, monitor hydration levels, and provide adequate recovery time to mitigate the effects of high heat and humidity. The study underscores the need for tailored preseason training protocols that consider the unique physiological demands of female soccer players.
Key Takeaways
Training intensity was significantly influenced by perceived exertion, body mass loss from sweating, and heat stress fluctuations.
Hydration and body mass management are critical during preseason training to mitigate risks of heat-related illnesses and maintain performance.
Scheduling practices during cooler periods and providing tailored recovery strategies can help optimize training outcomes in hot and humid conditions.
Authors: Sean M. Collins, Abigail Poague, Robert Huggins, and Thomas G. Bowman
You can read the whole article here.
