Giakoni-Ramírez Frano, Muñoz-Strale Catalina, de Souza-Lima Josivaldo, Aránguiz Dote Luis, López-Gil José Francisco, Clemente-Suárez Vicente Javier, Yáñez-Sepúlveda Rodrigo
Faculty of Education and Social Sciences, Institute Sports and Wellbeing, Universidad Andres Bello, Las Condes, Santiago 7550000, Chile.
One Health Research Group, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito 170124, Ecuador.
Nutrients. 2025 Apr 30;17(9):1554. doi: 10.3390/nu17091554.
Body composition and hydration status, particularly the balance between intracellular (ICW) and extracellular (ECW) water compartments, are critical factors influencing performance and aesthetics in competitive bodybuilding. Despite their significance, limited research has explored sex-based differences in hydration strategies and their impact on competitive outcomes. : This study aimed to characterize and compare ICW and ECW distribution, as well as their relationship with key physiological parameters, between male and female elite bodybuilders during an international competition. : A total of 34 elite bodybuilders (18 males and 16 females) participated in this cross-sectional study. Body composition was assessed using multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The parameters evaluated included total body water, ICW, ECW, and phase angle (PhA). Differences between sexes were analyzed using Student's -tests, with statistical significance set at < 0.05. : Significant sex-based differences were observed in water compartment distribution. Male bodybuilders exhibited higher ICW values (33.1 ± 2.8 L vs. 25.7 ± 2.5 L; < 0.001) and PhA (8.2 ± 0.7 vs. 7.0 ± 0.9; < 0.05), indicating greater muscle mass and cell integrity. In contrast, females had a higher ECW-to-total body water ratio (42.7% vs. 39.5%; < 0.05), likely influenced by hormonal and metabolic factors. These findings suggest that sex-specific physiological characteristics should be considered when developing hydration and competition strategies. : The study highlights the importance of sex-specific approaches to hydration and body composition management in bodybuilding. The observed differences in ICW and ECW distributions underscore the need for individualized training, nutrition, and hydration strategies to optimize competitive performance while maintaining athlete health. Future research should focus on longitudinal assessments to better understand hydration dynamics across different stages of competition preparation.
身体成分和水合状态，尤其是细胞内（ICW）和细胞外（ECW）水室之间的平衡，是影响竞技健美运动表现和美观的关键因素。尽管它们很重要，但关于水合策略的性别差异及其对比赛结果的影响的研究有限。本研究旨在描述和比较国际比赛期间男女精英健美运动员的ICW和ECW分布，以及它们与关键生理参数的关系。共有34名精英健美运动员（18名男性和16名女性）参与了这项横断面研究。使用多频生物电阻抗分析（BIA）评估身体成分。评估的参数包括总体水、ICW、ECW和相位角（PhA）。使用学生t检验分析性别差异，统计学显著性设定为P<0.05。在水室分布方面观察到显著的性别差异。男性健美运动员表现出更高的ICW值（33.1±2.8升对25.7±2.5升；P<0.001）和PhA（8.2±0.7对7.0±0.9；P<0.05），表明肌肉量更大且细胞完整性更高。相比之下，女性的ECW与总体水的比率更高（42.7%对39.5%；P<0.05），这可能受激素和代谢因素影响。这些发现表明，在制定水合和比赛策略时应考虑性别特异性生理特征。该研究强调了健美运动中针对性别特异性的水合和身体成分管理方法的重要性。观察到的ICW和ECW分布差异强调了需要个性化的训练、营养和水合策略，以在保持运动员健康的同时优化比赛表现。未来的研究应侧重于纵向评估，以更好地了解比赛准备不同阶段的水合动态。
