Adana research provided scientific basis for football water breaks

Research conducted in Adana, Turkey, approximately 20 years ago, provided the scientific foundation for the implementation of water breaks in professional football. The project was initiated in 2006 by Professor Sadi Kurdak, Director of the Çukurova University Healthy Living and Sports Sciences Center, to prevent sudden deaths caused by high temperatures during matches.

Working with support from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and Ankara University, researchers conducted experimental matches in 2007 at the Muharrem Güler Stadium. These studies measured distance covered, increases in body temperature, and the amount of water and salt lost by players. Findings indicated that players can lose nearly 3 liters of water during a match.

The data demonstrated that water breaks significantly helped cool players and reduce fluid loss, moving them toward a safer physiological state. Following these local studies, the research expanded with the support of FIFA in 2008, eventually leading to the global adoption of water breaks within international football regulations.