Hydration, Fluid Homeostasis and Their Impact on Athletic Performance
A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Nutrition".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: sports physiology; human physiology; sports biochemistry; exercise testing; exercise; hormonal profiles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: sports science; exercise performance; exercise science; athletic performance; strength & conditioning; sports injuries; exercise physiology; sport physiology; physical fitness; muscle physiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: physical education; sports science; physical fitness; sport; energy expenditure; physical activity assessment; physical activity; diet; health science; nutrition; health
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues
Adequate water intake and optimal fluid balance are fundamental determinants of health and physical performance, yet the complexity of hydration in athletic contexts remains an active and evolving research field. Physical exercise induces significant changes in thermoregulation, cardiovascular function, metabolic activity and hormonal responses, making athletes particularly vulnerable to dehydration, overhydration and electrolyte imbalance. Recent studies highlight that even mild dehydration may impair cognitive function, technical skill execution and endurance capacity, while excessive fluid consumption without appropriate electrolyte replacement can increase the risk of hyponatremia. Despite growing scientific interest, important gaps remain regarding individual hydration needs, sex-specific responses, sport-dependent strategies and the role of nutrition in supporting fluid homeostasis. This Special Issue, entitled “Hydration, Fluid Homeostasis and Their Impact on Athletic Performance” will bring together cutting-edge research exploring hydration assessment techniques, environmental influences, evidence-based fluid-replacement protocols and innovative nutritional approaches that optimize performance and recovery. Manuscripts addressing experimental, clinical, mechanistic or applied perspectives are welcome, with our goal being advancing practical recommendations for athletes, coaches and practitioners.
Prof. Dr. Tomasz A. Pałka
Dr. Łukasz Rydzik
Guest Editors
Dr. Monika Bigosińska
Guest Editor Assistant
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- hydration
- water intake
- fluid balance
- dehydration
- hyponatremia
- electrolyte homeostasis
- thermoregulation
- sweat rate
- endurance performance
- exercise physiology
- rehydration strategies
- sport nutrition
- environmental stress
- heat adaptation
- athletic performance
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