Abstract:
Sweating and electrolytes loss will affect the effectiveness of the performance of organs and systems of the body. Especially for the sportsmen who have movements during practice sessions or competitions for a long period of time, the amount of sweating loss will be much more than normal. If we know the amount of sweating and electrolytes loss, we can correctly and appropiately substitute water and nutrients for this loss.In basketball, each player in each position has specific characteristics in movements. Different quantity of bodily figure is likely to affect the difference of sweating and electrolytes loss. The sample of the study consisted of 59 male and 60 female basketball players from 6 Colleges of Physical Education. Male basketball payers were 17-26 years of age. (average = 0.7, SD = 1.88) Their height was between 152-184 Cms. (average = 173.27, SD = 6.88), and their weight between 52.87 gs. (average = 64.69, SD = 8.26). As for female players, they were 17.24 years of age. (average = 19.40, SD = 1.70) Their height was between 145.175 Cms. (average = 160.92, SD = 5.51), and their weight between 42-77 gs. (average = 53.11, SD = 6.81) . By being weighted in before and after practice sessions, each player's weat was collected in the amount of 4 C.C. by the researcher in order to calculate sweating and electrolytes loss in the 40-minute practice session.From the data analysis by means of Two-Way ANOVA, it was revealed that male players had greater amount (average = 1944.39, SD = 391.22) if sweating loss than female players. (average = 1731.60, SD = 373.10) However, no differences were found among players in different positions, namely center, left forward, right forward, left guard, and right guard in both male players (average = 1976.13, SD = 3381.24; average = 1942.83, SD = 404.48; average = 1927.84, SD = 390.35; average = 1959.77, SD = 380.27; average = 1914.02, SD = 482.47; respectively) and female players. (average = 1956.16, SD = 328.08; average = 1560.72, SD = 330.76; average = 1923.30, SD = 433.87; average = 1570.80, SD = 322.60; average = 1646.99, SD = 272.5, respectively)Concerning the analysis of the amount of electrolytes, for instance, sodium (Na+), and chloride (Cl-), no differences were found in the loss of these mentioned substances between male (average = 130.66, SD = 70.96; average = 135.05, SD = 66.33) and female players (average = 127.03, SD = 70.98; average = 126.08, SD = 65.50). However, there was a significant difference in the loss of potassium between male players (average = 9.58, SD = 4.20) and female players. (average = 18.40, SD = 7.05)From the study of electrolytes loss, it indicates that male players, whose bodily figures are generally bigger and higher than those of female players, have greater amount of sweat than female ones. Nevertheless, from the analysis of electrolytes, for instance, sodium, potassium, and chloride, the amount of these substance loss was not different, except for potassium which is lost more in female than in males. Consequently, it is necessary that female players should prepare for an increase of potassium during practice sessions or competitions by drinking juice or eating food with potassium nutrient. Finally, the people concerned in sports or coaches should provide water for players during the whole practice sessions and competitions in order to prevent some dangers which might happen to them.