International Journal of Sport, Exercise and Health Research 2018; 2(2): 100-105 ; DOI:10.31254/sportmed.2201
Reliability of three urinalysis methods used in the assessment of hydration
Aric J. Warren1 , Matthew S. O’Brien1 , Doug B. Smith2
1. Associate Professor, Department of Athletic Training, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 W. 17th Street, Tulsa, OK 74107, USA
2. Professor, Oklahoma State University, School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 30th August, 2018 / Accepted: 18th October, 2018
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the intratester and intertester reliability of three common methods of assessing hydration; urine color chart (UCC), dipstick reagent strip (DRS) and refractometer (REF). Methods: Twenty-three male collegiate wrestlers (n = 23, age = 20.09 ± 1.35, weight = 78.73 ± 11.25 kg, height = 174.49 ± 7.23 cm) provided urine samples on three separate occasions totaling 69 samples (n = 69). Samples were analyzed with repeated measures by three testers, three trials, and three separate methods of assessment. Results: All methods had very high intertester reliability as demonstrated by Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients; DRS (r = .985), UCC (r = .973) and REF (r = .968). Intraclass correlation coefficient ranges were also very high; DRS .983 - .994, UCC 964-.983, and REF .829-.996. Conclusions: The three modes of urine hydration assessment are highly reliable, and are a practical, noninvasive method to evaluate hydration status in the field.
Hydration; Reliability; Urinalysis
