Session Description: Hydration plays a critical role in athlete health, performance, recovery, and safety, yet assessing hydration status in applied settings remains challenging. This session will explore practical hydration assessment strategies across a range of sporting and occupational environments, highlighting the strengths and limitations of commonly used methods. Drawing on both laboratory and field-based research, participants will learn how to select appropriate hydration assessment tools, interpret results, and translate data into meaningful recommendations for athletes, coaches, and practitioners.

Speaker Bio: Dr Lilia Convit is a Sports Dietitian, Accredited Exercise Scientist, ISAK Level 3 Instructor, and Associate Research Fellow at Deakin University’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN). With more than 16 years of experience working with athletes ranging from recreational competitors to elite and professional sporting teams, her work focuses on the intersection of nutrition, hydration, body composition, and environmental physiology.

Lilia recently completed her PhD at Deakin University, investigating cooling and hydration strategies and thermoregulatory responses in female athletes exercising in the heat. Her research has resulted in multiple peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, invited industry presentations, and media coverage both nationally and internationally. Her work has contributed to advancing understanding of hydration, sodium supplementation, and female athlete performance in challenging environmental conditions.

Alongside her research, Lilia has extensive applied experience conducting hydration assessments, sweat testing, body composition profiling, and performance nutrition consultations across a wide range of sports. She is passionate about translating scientific evidence into practical strategies that practitioners can confidently implement in the field, helping athletes optimise both performance and health outcomes.