Baker, L. B., Dougherty, K. A., Chow, M., & Kenney, W. L. (2006). Progressive dehydration causes a progressive decline in basketball performance in 17-22 year old men. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(5), Supplement abstract 1341.

This study determined the effect of 1, 2, 3, and 4% dehydration compared to euhydration with water on basketball performance in young-adult highly-skilled male basketball players (N = 8). Ss completed three hours of interval treadmill walking (50% VO2max) at 40°C and 20% relative humidity with or without water replacement. Each S completed five trials in random order. After one hour of recovery, Ss performed a series of basketball drills designed to simulate a fast-paced game. Performance measures included: average time to complete on-court sprinting drills and average number of shots made per drill.

On-court sprinting and shooting performance progressively declined as % dehydration increased.

Implication. Basketball players experience a progressive deterioration in sprinting and skill performance as dehydration increases from 1 to 4%.

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