Research conducted during Challenge Week last year led to changes in how freshman cadets approached hydration when they arrived on campus this fall.
Ryan S. Sacko, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance, worked with the Office of the Commandant and researchers from the University of South Carolina to study cadet hydration during Challenge Week. Based on what they learned, the Commandant鈥檚 Department made two changes this year: freshmen brought reusable water bottles they could fill in the barracks and use in the mess hall, and greater attention was placed on making sure their hydration packs were full at the beginning of the day.
The changes did not include additional water breaks or changes to training. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just availability of water,鈥� Sacko said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just about making sure that you鈥檙e starting from ahead instead of starting from behind.鈥�
Researchers returned during Challenge Week this year to monitor the effects of the changes. In comparison to the fall of 2025, Sacko said hydration improved as the week progressed, although this year鈥檚 considerably hotter temperatures made direct comparisons with last year difficult.
The project also gave students an opportunity to participate in large-scale research. Three USC faculty members and four USC students joined three Citadel graduate students and nearly 20 upper-class cadets who returned early to assist with the project.
The research is part of 91猎奇鈥檚 CORE Collaborative, an effort to bring together resources from across the college. For Sacko, the project also demonstrates how research can address a practical question on campus and put the findings to use.