Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Communication
  • Published:

Markers of hydration status

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 57, pages S6–S9 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Many indices have been investigated to establish their potential as markers of hydration status. Body mass changes, blood indices, urine indices and bioelectrical impedance analysis have been the most widely investigated. The current evidence and opinion tend to favour urine indices, and in particular urine osmolality, as the most promising marker available.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Armstrong LE (2000): Performing in Extreme Environments. Champaign: Human Kinetics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong LE, Soto JA, Hacker Jr FT, Casa DJ, Kavouras SA & Maresh CM (1998): Urinary indices during dehydration, exercise, and rehydration. Int. J. Sport Nutr. 8, 345–355.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong LE, Maresh CM, Castellani JW, Bergeron MF, Kenefick RW, LaGasse KE & Riebe D (1994): Urinary indices of hydration status. Int. J. Sport Nutr. 4, 265–279.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Asselin M-C, Kriemler S, Chettle DR, Webber CE, Bar-Or O & McNeill FE (1998): Hydration status assessed by multi-frequency bioimpedance analysis. Appl. Radiat. Isot. 49, 495–497.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Astrand PO & Rodahl K (1986): Textbook of Work Physiology. p 619. Singapore: McGraw-Hill International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berneis K & Keller U (2000): Bioelectrical impedance analysis during acute changes of extracellular osmolality in man. Clin. Nutr. 19, 361–366.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheriex EC, Leunissen KML, Janssen JHA, Mooy JMV & van Hooff JP (1989): Echography of the inferior vena cava is a simple tool for estimation of ‘dry weight’ in hemodialysis patients. Nephrol. Dial. Transpl. 4, 563–568.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diem K (1962): Documenta Geigy Scientific Tables. pp 538–539. Manchester: Geigy Pharmaceutical Company Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  • Francesconi RP, Hubbard RW, Szlyk PC, Schnakenberg D, Carlson D, Leva N, Sils I, Hubbard L, Pease V, Young J & Moore D (1987): Urinary and hematological indexes of hydration. J. Appl. Physiol. 62, 1271–1276.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Greenleaf JE (1992): Problem: thirst, drinking behaviour, and involuntary dehydration. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 24, 645–656.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison MH (1985): Effects of thermal stress and exercise on blood volume in humans. Physiol. Rev. 65, 149–209.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman JR, Maresh CM, Armstrong LE, Gabaree CL, Bergeron MF, Kenefick RW, Castellani JW, Ahlquist LE & Ward A (1994): Effects of hydration state on plasma testosterone, cortisol, and catecholamine concentrations before and during mild exercise at elevated temperature. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 69, 294–300.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson DR, Douglas D, Hauswald M & Tandberg D (1995): Dehydration and orthostatic vital signs in women with hyperemesis gravidarum. Acad. Emer. Med. 2, 692–697.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lentner C (1981): Geigy scientific tables. 8th Edition. Basle: Ciba-Geigy Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  • McArdle WD, Katch FI & Katch VL (1996): Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition, and Human Performance. p 54. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell JW, Nadel ER & Stolwijk JAJ (1972): Respiratory weight losses during exercise. J. Appl. Physiol. 32, 474–476.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • National Institutes of Health (1994): Bioelectrical impedance analysis in body composition measurement. NIH Technol. Assess. Statement. December 12–14, pp 1–35.

  • Popowski LA, Oppliger RA, Lambert GP, Johnson RF, Johnson AK & Gisolfi CV (2001): Blood and urinary measures of hydration status during progressive acute dehydration. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 33, 747–753.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders MJ, Blevins JE & Broeder CE (1998): Effects of hydration changes on bioelectrical impedance in endurance trained individuals. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 30, 885–892.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schoeller DA (1996): Hydrometry. In Human Body Composition. eds A Roche, S Heymsfield & T Lohman, pp 25–43. Champaign: Human Kinetics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shirreffs SM & Maughan RJ (1998): Urine osmolality and conductivity as indices of hydration status in athletes in the heat. Med. Sci. Sport Exerc. 30, 1598–1902.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK

    S M Shirreffs

Authors
  1. S M Shirreffs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Guarantor: SM Shirreffs.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S M Shirreffs.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shirreffs, S. Markers of hydration status. Eur J Clin Nutr 57 (Suppl 2), S6–S9 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601895

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601895

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links