Using a refractometer is significantly more expensive than using dipsticks. Your choice of a particular method to assess hydration status may well depend on the size of your budget. It's very important that you become proficient in assessing hydration using several methods. Each one will provide information relative to the hydration status of your athletes.
When assessing athletes' hydration status, you'll see a range of levels of hydration. Let's spend a few minutes talking about rehydration strategies.