Knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding hydration among professional volleyball athletes
Abstract
Adequate hydration is essential for athletic performance and health maintenance. However, even in high-performance sports such as volleyball, which is practiced in indoor environments, athletes often begin training in a dehydrated state. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding hydration and fluids, and to relate these factors to the hydration status of professional volleyball athletes. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 10 athletes, evaluated through a validated questionnaire, body weight variation, and urine density and color. Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman’s correlation test, with a significance level of p<0.05. The results showed that although knowledge and attitude scores were satisfactory, inadequate behavior was prevalent and reflected in dehydration indicators. It is concluded that the hydration status of athletes is more closely related to behavioral factors than to theoretical knowledge, highlighting the need for practical and educational strategies focused on hydration in the sports context.
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