Hydration Status in Men Working in Different Thermal Environments: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different seasons of the year and the time of day (before work vs. after work) on hydration status in men. The study involved sixty foresters who spent most of the work outdoors. During three seasons of the year (summer, autumn, and winter), indices of hydration status (body mass (BM) and percentage change of BM, total body water (TBW) and percentage change of TBW, serum osmolality (Sosm) and percentage change of Sosm, urine osmolality, urine-specific gravity (USG), urine color, and thirst) were determined before work on the first day (time point 1 used as baseline), immediately after work on the first day (time point 2), and before work on the following day (time point 3). USG decreased at time point 2 compared to time point 1 (p < 0.001) and time point 3 (p = 0.03). At time point 2 (p = 0.002) in winter and time point 3 in autumn (p = 0.049), serum osmolality was higher than in summer. In conclusion, the differences in hydration status depended on the time of day and season. A large percentage of foresters come to work inadequately hydrated, especially in colder seasons compared to summer.