Relationship between fluid loss variation and physical activity during official games in elite soccer players. [Relaciones entre la variación de pérdida de líquidos y la actividad física durante partidos oficiales en jugadores de fútbol de élite].

The aim of the present study was to analyse the relationships between fluid ingestion, changes in body mass and physical activity amongst elite soccer players. 32 elite French soccer players were divided into six playing positions: goalkeepers (GK), central defenders (CD), full backs (FB), central midfielders (CM), wide midfielders (WM) and forwards (FW) and participated in official friendly matches within two consecutive pre-season periods. Body mass changes and fluid ingestion were recorded before, during and just after the matches. Time-motion characteristics were also analysed. Players ingested 1.4±0.6 L of fluids during matches and lost 1.4±0.6 kg at the end of the games. WM lost more weight than GK, FB and FW (p