Unit 5. research project. results and conclusions.

Unit 5 Research Project
Worthing College Sports Science
[Harmony Driver]
2015

Assessment Criteria
Pages 3-17 & 27-38
• P2: carry out sport science or exercise science-
based research
• P3: collect and record data from the research
project conducted
• M2: correctly analyse collected data, describing
techniques used
• D1: correctly analyse data, explaining techniques
used
• P4: produce a full research report using a
standard scientific structure

Optimum rehydration fluid
research project
P2: Carry out / P4: Produce

Abstract
The purpose of this research project was to determine the optimum
rehydration fluid. This was to enable a 16-18 year old female, performance
level athlete, after high intensity exercise, reach pre exercise state of
hydration. The research was designed to gain information about hydration to
help sports teams in Worthing college to improve their performance during
both training and matches. To find this information, I asked 12 participants
that fit the population specification to provide urine samples before
completing 3 sets of 6 Malcolms. Another urine sample was then taken. At
this point the participants were given 500ml of either water, hypotonic,
hypertonic and isotonic sports drinks to consume. After an hour, the final
sample was taken. All the urine samples were compared to a chart and a
value given. The results were inconclusive as there was no clear optimum
hydration fuel. However, it does show that an individual should carry tests on
themselves to find their own optimum hydration fuel, this is because each
athlete will lose fluid at different rates and therefore dehydrate over a shorter
period of time and rehydration is different for each individual and therefore
participant.

Contents: General
Page 3: Title of Research project
Page 4: Abstract
Page 5: Contents page
Page 6: Contents (Appendices)
Page 7: Contents ( Figures and
tables)
Page 8: Acknowledgements
Page 9: Introduction
Page 10: Literature review and
references
Page 11: Project hypothesis
Page 12: Method
Page 13: Data collection
Page 14: Data analysis
Page 15: Results
Page 16: Discussion
Page 17: Conclusion
Page 18: Assessment criteria
Page 19: Review (1/3)
Page 22: Future recommendation (1/5)
Page 23:Future recommendation (2/5)
Page 27: Research project Appendices
Page 28: Appendix 1
Page 29: Appendix 2
Page 30: Appendix 3
Page 31: Research project figures and
tables
Page 32: Figures and table 1

Contents: Appendices
Page 27: Title page
Page 28: Appendix 1
Page 29: Appendix 2
Page 30: Appendix 3

Contents: Figures and Tables
Page 31: Title page

Acknowledgements
The research project could not have been
completed without the following people. I
would like to thank Mark Sambrook for giving
advice during the early planning phase and Paul
Cox helping the organisation throughout the
project. The Women's rugby team also get a
mention as they were willing test subjects, so
that I could get the results I needed.

Introduction
By the end of my research project I aimed to determine the optimum
rehydration fluid to enable a 16-18 year old female, performance level
athlete, after high intensity exercise, reach pre exercise state of hydration.
I chose this aim because I have always been told that hydration is key for
sporting success, and that water is essential for high performance athletes.
Therefore I was interested in finding out whether there is better ways to
hydrate your body than just drinking water. I also wanted my performance
level to increase and if I find an extra 1% improvement in hydration then the
results would be useful to not only me but my team mates as well.
The time scale of the research project started on the 19th of January where I
started to develop ideas about my research project aim. This progressed to
the testing of my aim to be conducted from the 23rd of February till the 16th of
March. At this stage of the timescale, I wanted to start analysing the data and
writing up my research project, the final deadline for this research project on
the 17th of April 2015.

Literature Review and References
https://worthingsportscience.wordpress.com/20
15/02/27/unit-5-literature-review-harmony-
driver/

Project Hypothesis
If an athlete consumes 500ml of isotonic drink
then they will become hydrated over a shorter
period of time than if the athlete was to
consume hypertonic, hypotonic drinks and
water.
No matter which sports drink is consumed, this
will still have a quicker rehydration rate than just
plain water because of the lack in sodium and
carbohydrate.

Method
The research will be in the format of an experimental research design. This is
because the project is testing the effects of an independent variable
(hydration fuels) on a dependent (rehydration). At the beginning of the
research project, I asked each of the participants to fill out a PAR-Q form ( see
Appendix 1) so that I was aware of any current illness or injuries which could
prevent them from completing the proposed exercise. Before the set exercise
is completed, all participants are required to take a urine sample which I then
compare to the normative data, the urine chart (see Appendix 2) and give the
urine a numerical value. The participants will then take part in three sets of
Malcolm’s ( 6 repetitions in a set) with 1 minute rest in between. After the
exercise has been completed, I will collect another urine sample and again
compare to the urine chart and place a value. At this point the participant will
be given 500ml of a specific drink (Isotonic, water, hypertonic and hypotonic),
this will be recorded to ensure that the results match up to the correct
participants. After an hour, the body has time to rehydrate and another
sample will be taken and recorded on a table. Ready to compare the values
after all tests are complete.
P3: Collect and record / M2: Correctly analyse & describe techniques / D1: Correctly analyse & explain techniques

Data Collection
The research project required field based data collection, it took place across
the road at Hill barn as the rugby pitch was out of action. This was so that the
participants were in the environment that the sport is played so that external
validity can be claimed. Hill barn was also used as less equipment was
involved (only a set of cones) and therefore did not need specialist equipment
which would only be found in a lab, therefore the research project was also
conducted in a cheaper way. However, I was not be able to control weather,
which had an affect on dehydration levels and difficulty in exercising. The
weather was hot and sunny when the tests were completed and therefore
you can assume that fluid loss would have increased. This was useful for the
research project as it showed a larger range between the starting and ending
numerical values. If I had the facilities, the data will be quantitative as the
colour of the urine could be analysed via the wavelengths and therefore
numerical data can be produced. The research project relied on my subjective
view, this was because I had no specialised equipment to measure osmolality
This meant the it was only my opinion of the colour of the urine and where it
was valued on the chart. Therefore my research design will not be as precise.

Data Analysis
After the tests have been completed, I will have
decided the numerical value that the urine sample
is similar to and record this on a table (See Figures
and table 1). The data from this table was then
transferred onto the computer and a bar graph was
created. The hydration level before, after and after
an hour were separated by different colours so that
the dereference between the hydration can be
clearly evident. This will show the increase in
hydration and be able to locate the greatest
difference in numerical data, therefore finding the
optimum hydration fuel.

Results
The data collected after transferring it into a
table and graph did not show any trends
regarding which hydration fuel was the best.
This may be because the number of participants
were too low to have enough results to witness
a trend. The results did show however, that all
the fuels were capable of restoring the
participants to euhydration.

Discussion
After transferring the data onto an Excel document
and a bar graph created, I was expecting to see a
visible trend. At the beginning of the research
project, I thought, probably quite naively, that
there would be a clear difference between the
hydration fuels and that one would stand above the
rest. However, this was not the case. The graph (See
Appendix 2), showed that all the fuels were
successful in rehydrating the participant and there
was no hydration fuel that gave a significant
difference on hydration.

Conclusion
By the end of my research project I aimed to determine the optimum rehydration fluid to enable
a 16-18 year old female, performance level athlete, after high intensity exercise, reach pre
exercise state of hydration.
The key trends that were established in my literacy review included the importance of hydration
on sporting performance and that athletes should try their best in educating themselves. My
research came to the conclusion that everyone is an individual and therefore each athlete should
do further tests on themselves to find their own optimum hydration fuel to improve their
sporting performance. This information would be valuable for my population as sporting teams
would be able to cater for each individual at performance level if they wanted to get that extra
percentage in the performance. The literacy review also suggested that water is essential for
hydration, however added sodium would restore plasma volumes to higher than rehydration
state and therefore the athlete would become hydrated at a quicker rate.
The results and discussion do not support my hypothesis because the sports drinks (isotonic,
hypertonic and hypotonic) did not have a clear lead against water to be the optimum hydration
fuel, even though they contain the sodium that was trending throughout the literacy review.
Therefore, I would then agree with Michael N. Sawka who believes that with sufficient recovery
time, consuming plain water and eating a normal meal will provide enough sodium, carbohydrate
and electrolytes to restore euhydration.

Assessment Criteria Pages 19-26
• P5: carry out a review of the research project
conducted, describing strengths, areas for
improvement and future recommendations.
• M3: carry out a review of the research project,
explaining strengths, areas for improvement
and future recommendations.
• D2: carry out a review of the research project,
justifying future recommendations for further
research.

Review (1/3)
By the end of my research project I aimed to determine
the optimum rehydration fluid to enable a 16-18 year old
female, performance level athlete, after high intensity
exercise, reach pre exercise state of hydration. Regarding
the exact aim, the research project conclusions did not
meet this as there was no conclusive optimum hydration
fuel found after analysing the results. The testing was
able to show that all hydration fuels were efficient in
restoring the hydration levels after exercise. So fro
athletes at a performance level, it is essential to drink one
of the four drinks to ensure they become fully hydrated
again. The results also suggested that the best hydration
fuel is different for each individual.
P5: Describe / M3: Explain / D2: Justify

Review (2/3)
What were the strengths of the research
project?
A strength of my research project is that I easily managed to find 10 willing
participants. These participants also met the criteria stated in my aim, they
were all female, performance level athletes who were aged 16-18 years old.
Another strength of the research project is that the chosen exercise for my
participants to take part in was achievable and dehydrated the participants
enough that it would make a change to the colour of their urine. The
Malcolms were also easy to explain so that there was no confusion and they
were completed correctly is that the results were reliable.
The tests that took place were located on the rugby field, this is a strength of
the research as this is the environment that these athlete would be training/
playing matches on so therefore, the hydration levels reflects an everyday
session.

Review (3/3)
What were the areas for improvement of the research project?
An area of improvement that needed addressing was the fact that not all the
participants were working as hard as others. This meant there was little
difference in there hydration level because the amount of effort put in wasn’t
enough for fluid loss to be high. Therefore, when comparing the urine colour
before and after, each drink used was effective enough to get the participant
to pre- exercise state.
Another improvement area within the research project would be the fact that
I judged the colour of the urine whilst it was in the bowl of the toilet, this
meant that the colour was actually diluted which would have effected the
results. However, the colour difference was still visible when comparing to a
urine chart.
The colour chart that I was comparing the urine too was very basic. And after
visiting Chichester university and seeing that the osmolality of urine can be
measured, I realised that my research project would not be accurate enough
for others to benefit from the conclusion and results.

Future Recommendations (1/5)
If the project was to be completed again what would you change and
why?
If I was to complete the research again, I would have contacted
Chichester university and ask if I could come and do some testing using
their osmolality equipment. If I got permission then this would
increase the accuracy of my research project as the concentration of
the urine would be measured so even the smallest margin of
difference would be recorded rather than just going up in colours.
Another recommendation that would be considered is the lack of
organisation that went on throughout the research project. The time
scale previously stated on my research planning sheet was not kept to
and therefore testing and concluding was completed in a rush.
I would also recommend that the purchase of sample collectors ( such
a pots) is essential, this is so that the urine is not diluted and can be
held to the colour chart rather that relying on my subjective view.
P4: Produce / P5: Describe / M3: Explain / D2: Justify

What would be the benefits of the proposed
changes stated on the previous page?
The proposed changes would be beneficial to the
research project as it would make the results more
accurate and precise. Using the osmolality of the
urine will give the precise concentration to 0.01 %,
which is quantitative data. Whereas my research
project was qualitative but then turned into
numerical data by a key.
Improved organisation would mean that a thorough
conclusion would be made.

A further research project could be completed
by changing the population of the aim. In my
research project, the participants were all
female. It would be interesting to see whether
hydration levels and the type of fuel consumed
would have a different effect on male
performance level athletes.

The population of the aim can also change
regarding the level of performance of the
participant when conducting further research.
My research project conducted test of
performance level athletes, whereas future test
could be conducted on foundation level. This
suggest the participants would be less fit and
therefore fluid loss may be more and show a
larger difference in hydration.

The last future recommendation would be
increasing the population by changing the age
group to a greater range. A research project
could focus on an older audience.

Appendix 1
The image shows a Physical activity
readiness questionnaire which I asked
each participant to complete before
taking part in any of the testing process.

Appendix 2
The images shows an example of a
urine chart that I used when
comparing the samples during the
testing stage of the research project.

Appendix 3
The image shows a diagram
of one Malcolm.
The cones are placed 10
metres apart. The participant
will start laying on their front
by the middle cone. They will
then run to the cone in front
of them and complete a
down up. They will then turn
around and run to the
furthest cone and complete
another down up. This is
repeated 6 times to form a
set.

Research Project Figures
and Tables

Figures and Tables 1
Participant. Type of fuel. Urine value
before
exercise.
Urine value
after exercise.
Urine value an
hour after fuel
is consumed.
1 Water 5 7 4
2 Water 3 6 2
3 Water 4 5 4
4 Hypotonic 5 6 4
5 Hypotonic 3 5 3
6 Hypotonic 5 7 6
7 Isotonic 6 6 2
8 Isotonic 2 4 2
9 Isotonic 2 5 3
10 Hypertonic 4 5 2
11 Hypertonic 6 7 3
12 Hypertonic 3 5 4

Figures and Tables 2
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Series1
Series2
Series3
Y axis : Value on urine
chart
X axis: Participant
number
Series 1: Before
exercise
Series 2: Straight after
exercise
Series 3: After an hour
with hydration fuel
1-3: Water
4-6: Hypotonic
7-9: Isotonic
10-12: Hypertonic

Unit 5. research project. results and conclusions.

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