Conscious water consumption related to PE

Abstract

Introduction: Several studies suggest that students do not consume enough fluids. As a result, attention disorders develop, short-term memory problems appear, thus altogether their academic achievements might deteriorate, all of which could be avoided with conscious and sufficient fluid replacement. One of our aims was to establish favorable habits in students through our intervention program, raising their awareness of the importance of rehydration, particularly during sports activities.
Methods: The intervention took place between October 2016 and January 2018, closed with a follow-up survey in June 2019. The sample included two 9th grade secondary school classes (n=46). Data were collected 5 times and in 3 ways during the research: 1. At specified times for one week students recorded the quantity and the type of fluids consumed (water, tea, soft drinks, soup, etc.); 2. At the end of the research project, the intervention group filled in an online questionnaire on their lifestyle habits; 3. Using a body composition analyzer (InBody 720) for measuring changes, all the students were examined. Whereas the control group was not supported in any way, considerable interventions were created for the study group to encourage their fluid intake. These supporting suggestions were gradually phased out during the research project.
Results: The students in the study group did not consume sufficient amount of fluids at the beginning of the intervention (M = 1510 ml), but they increased their fluid consumption significantly by the end of the project (M = 2200 ml, p < 0.000) to meet the recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority. It also resulted in a significant increase in their total body water (p = 0.009). 60% of the students increased water consumption, and 34% switched to water instead of soft drinks.
Discussion & Conclusions: Data from the follow-up survey (June, 2019) indicate that our program had a positive impact on the lifestyleof students, making them more conscious of water intake, since their fluid consumption reached the levels recorded at the 5th measurement (the end of intervention, January, 2018). Our data verified that it is worth paying attention to conscious fluid intake relating to sport activities, as this can substantially increase their water consumption.