Interpreting Measurements; Baseline Measurements; Optimal Hydration Zone (Ohz) - MX3 Hydration Testing System User Manual

Interpreting Measurements

In basic terms, SOSM values increase as dehydration increases, and
they decrease as hydration status improves. Most athletes will exhibit
a gradual increase in SOSM as they exercise.
While comparison of SOSM measurements with population averages
can provide an estimate of hydration status, every athlete's SOSM
range and hydration response is unique. To provide the most
accurate hydration analysis, SOSM measurements should be
compared against an optimal hydration zone determined by Baseline
measurements (see page 19).
The interpretation of measurements is dependent on the context in
which they were taken.
+ When measuring at rest or
immediately before exercise,
a dehydrated measurement
suggests an athlete is not regularly
drinking enough fluid to be fully
hydrated and should increase daily
fluid intake.
+ If measuring immediately after
exercise, a severely dehydrated
score suggests that fluid intake
during exercise has been
insufficient to avoid significant
dehydration. In this scenario, an
athlete should continue to hydrate
with fluids and monitor SOSM over
a period of hours until an athlete's
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SOSM reading returns to within
15mOsm of an athlete's optimal
hydration zone (OHZ).
+ When measuring in the hours
following exercise, dehydrated
readings suggest that additional
fluid intake is required to recover
from fluid losses during exercise.
Fluid intake should continue
(at a sensible rate) until SOSM
measurements are within
15mOsm of an athelete's OHZ.

Baseline Measurements /

Optimal Hydration Zone
The MX3 HTS initially classifies hydration status using
populational data.
While comparison of SOSM measurements with population averages
can provide an estimate of hydration status, every athlete's SOSM
range and hydration response is unique. To provide the most accurate
hydration analysis, SOSM measurements should be compared
against an optimal hydration zone (OHZ) determined by carrying out
Baseline measurements.
An athlete's OHZ is also displayed on the results bar after taking
a hydration measurement. This allows an athlete to PREPARE for
training or a game by targeting their personal OHZ or to RECOVER
after the game by rehydrating and assessing hydration status until
their SOSM returns to a value that is close to or within their OHZ.
To add a measurement to an athlete's
baseline, click the ADD TO BASELINE
Button on the measurement result page.
A minimum of 6 baseline measurements is
needed to calculate an OHZ.
Prior to taking a baseline measurement,
we recommend following a hydration
protocol to ensure an athlete is well
hydrated. A recommended example
protocol can be found on page 20.
If following our suggested hydration
protocol is not feasible, an athlete or
trainer may choose instead to define
readings as baseline measures when
they feel water consumption has been
adequate to achieve a fully hydrated state.
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