Skip to content

Changes in hydration status of elite Olympic class sailors in different climates and the effects of different fluid replacement beverages.

PMID 23432855 (2013): hydration, fluid — Time to exhaustion, Performance in heat, Cramp risk (study note for endurance athletes).

Last updated/Feb 23, 2026, 10:34 PM

Study note • PMID 23432855

Changes in hydration status of elite Olympic class sailors in different climates and the effects of different fluid replacement beverages.

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition2013 • DOI 10.1186/1550-2783-10-11
Evidence C60/100
Action 2: Consider

Worth trying if it fits your goal and context.

ELI5

In plain language

BACKGROUND: Olympic class sailing poses physiological challenges similar to other endurance sports such as cycling or running, with sport specific challenges of limited access to nutrition and hydration during competition. (controlled study; elite athletes).

The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Performance in heat under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: BACKGROUND: Olympic class sailing poses physiological challenges similar to other endurance sports such as cycling or running, with sport specific challenges of limited access to nutrition and hydration during competition.
  • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Performance in heat under the tested conditions.
  • Population: elite athletes.
  • Protocol cues: abstract may omit dose/timing; use the full paper to replicate accurately.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: hydration, fluid.
  • Dose/time/duration: abstract doesn’t include enough detail; use the full paper’s methods section.
  • Outcomes: Time to exhaustion, Performance in heat, Cramp risk.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it helps, and who should skip it

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (elite athletes) working on hydration.
  • Athletes who can measure Time to exhaustion, Performance in heat, Cramp risk with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should skip

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: controlled study.
  • Population: elite athletes.
  • Outcomes measured: Time to exhaustion, Performance in heat, Cramp risk.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 23432855 (2013) — Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

This did not change urine specific gravity, but did lead to a main effect for time for body mass (p < 0.001), blood sodium, potassium and chloride with all groups lower post-training (p < 0.05).

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations & bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

Coaching beta

Get a plan that adapts to your life.

Join the 26weeks.ai TestFlight beta for adaptive coaching, recovery-aware adjustments, and race-week reminders.

Keep going

Sources