Solera, A., & Salazar, W. (2003). Influence of dehydration and rehydration on basketball free throw accuracy. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(5), Supplement abstract 151.

Basketball players (N = 16) participated in four 90-minute trials on different days: a control condition (playing cards), basketball training without rehydration, training with water, and training with rehydration using a commercial beverage. In the rehydration conditions Ss drank 250 ml before training and 200 ml every 15 minutes into training. Free throws (N = 20) were performed at 0, 45, and 90 minutes into practice.

Free-throw accuracy decreased in the dehydrated group to 58%, which was significantly less than in the rehydration/sport beverage group (71%).

Implication. Rehydration with a sport beverage has the potential to assist in skill maintenance throughout an extended practice session.

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