Endurance Cyclist Fluid Intake, Hydration Status, Thirst, and Thermal Sensations: Gender Differences

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence E. Armstrong ◽  
Evan C. Johnson ◽  
Amy L. McKenzie ◽  
Lindsay A. Ellis ◽  
Keith H. Williamson

This field investigation assessed differences (e.g., drinking behavior, hydration status, perceptual ratings) between female and male endurance cyclists who completed a 164-km event in a hot environment (35 °C mean dry bulb) to inform rehydration recommendations for athletes. Three years of data were pooled to create 2 groups of cyclists: women (n = 15) and men (n = 88). Women were significantly smaller (p < .001) than men in height (166 ± 5 vs. 179 ± 7 cm), body mass (64.6 ± 7.3 vs. 86.4 ± 12.3 kg), and body mass index (BMI; 23.3 ± 1.8 vs. 26.9 ± 3.4) and had lower preevent urinary indices of hydration status, but were similar to men in age (43 ± 7 years vs. 44 ± 9 years) and exercise time (7.77 ± 1.24 hr vs. 7.23 ± 1.75 hr). During the 164-km ride, women lost less body mass (−0.7 ± 1.0 vs. −1.7 ± 1.5 kg; −1.1 ± 1.6% vs. −1.9 ± 1.8% of body weight; p < .005) and consumed less fluid than men (4.80 ± 1.28 L vs. 5.59 ± 2.13 L; p < .005). Women consumed a similar volume of fluid as men, relative to body mass (milliliters/kilogram). To control for performance and anthropomorphic characteristics, 15 women were pair-matched with 15 men on the basis of exercise time on the course and BMI; urine-specific gravity, urine color, and body mass change (kilograms and percentage) were different (p < .05) in 4 of 6 comparisons. No gender differences were observed for ratings of thirst, thermal sensation, or perceived exertion. In conclusion, differences in relative fluid volume consumed and hydration indices suggest that professional sports medicine organizations should consider gender and individualized drinking plans when formulating pronouncements regarding rehydration during exercise.

2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 624-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence E. Armstrong ◽  
Evan C. Johnson ◽  
Laura J. Kunces ◽  
Matthew S. Ganio ◽  
Daniel A. Judelson ◽  
...  

Context: The sensation of thirst is different from the complex behavior of drinking ad libitum. Rehydration recommendations to athletes differ, depending on the source, yet no previous researchers have systematically compared drinking to thirst (DTT) versus ad libitum drinking behavior (DAL). Objective: To compare 2 groups of trained cyclists (DTT and DAL) who had similar physical characteristics and training programs (P &gt; .05). The DTT group (n = 12, age = 47 ± 7 years) drank only when thirsty, whereas the DAL group (n = 12, age = 44 ± 7 years) consumed fluid ad libitum (ie, whenever and in whatever volume desired). Design: Cohort study. Setting: Road cycling (164 km) in the heat (36.1°C ± 6.5°C). Patients or Other Participants: Ultraendurance cyclists (4 women, 20 men). Intervention(s): We recorded measurements 1 day before the event, on event day before the start, at 3 roadside aid stations, at the finish line, and 1 day after the event. Main Outcome Measure(s): Body mass, urinary hydration indices, and food and fluids consumed. Results: No between-groups differences were seen on event day for total exercise time (DTT = 6.69 ± 0.89 hours, DAL = 6.66 ± 0.77 hours), urinary indices (specific gravity, color), body mass change (DTT = −2.22% ± 1.73%, DAL = −2.29% ± 1.62%), fluid intake (DTT = 5.63 ± 2.59 L/6.7 h, DAL = 6.04 ± 2.37 L/6.7 h), dietary energy intake, macronutrient intake, ratings of thirst (DTT start = 2 ± 1, DTT finish = 6 ± 1, DAL start = 2 ± 1, DAL finish = 6 ± 1), pain, perceived exertion, or thermal sensation. Total fluid intake on recovery day +1 was the primary significant difference (DAL = 5.13 ± 1.87 L/24 h, DTT = 3.13 ± 1.53 L/24 h, t18 = 2.59, P = .02). Conclusions: Observations on event day indicated that drinking to thirst and drinking ad libitum resulted in similar physiologic and perceptual outcomes. This suggests that specific instructions to “drink to thirst” were unnecessary. Indeed, if athletes drink ad libitum, they can focus on training and competition rather than being distracted by ongoing evaluation of thirst sensations.


Author(s):  
Jeremy M. Eith ◽  
Clint R. Haggard ◽  
Dawn M. Emerson ◽  
Susan W. Yeargin

Context Determining an athlete's hydration status allows hydration-related concerns to be identified before significant medical or performance concerns arise. Weight charts are an accurate measure of hydration status changes, yet their clinical use by athletic trainers (ATs) is unknown. Objective To investigate ATs' use of weight charts in athletic settings and describe their subsequent clinical decisions. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting High schools and National Collegiate Athletic Association Divisions I, II, III and National Association Intercollegiate Athletics colleges. Patients or Other Participants A total of 354 ATs (men = 162, women = 17; 17 respondents did not answer the demographic questions) responded across athletic settings (Division I [45.7%]; Division II, Division III, National Association Intercollegiate Athletics combined [n = 19.9%]; and high school [34.4%]). Main Outcome Measure(s) The 26-question online survey was developed by content experts and pilot tested before data collection. Participants answered questions focused on weight-chart use (implementation, timing, and calculations) and clinical decision processes (policies, interventions, and referral). Frequency statistics were calculated. Results The majority of ATs (57.2%) did not use weight charts. Of those who did, most (76.0%) used charts with football, soccer (28%), and wrestling (6%) athletes. They calculated changes as either an absolute (42.2%) or percentage (36.7%) change from prepractice to postpractice; only 11.7% used a baseline weight for calculations. Of those who used the percentage change in body mass, 66.0% selected a threshold of −3% to −4% for an intervention. Most ATs (97.0%) intervened with oral education, whereas only one-third (37.0%) provided specific fluid amounts based on body mass changes. Conclusions Typically, ATs in athletic settings did not use weight charts. They considered a body mass change of –3% the indication for intervention but did not specify rehydration amounts for hypohydrated athletes. Educational workshops or technology applications could be developed to encourage ATs to use weight charts and calculate appropriate individual fluid interventions for their athletes.


2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt B. Brearley ◽  
James P. Finn

Background:Despite the thermal challenge of demanding workloads performed in high cabin temperatures while wearing heavy heat-retardant clothing, information on physiological responses to racing V8 Supercars in hot conditions is not readily available.Purpose:To describe the thermal, cardiovascular, and perceptual strain on V8 Supercar drivers competing in hot conditions.Methods:Thermal strain was indicated by body-core temperature using an ingested thermosensitive pill. Cardiovascular strain was assessed from heart rate, hydration status, and sweat rate. Perceptual strain was estimated from self-rated thermal sensation, thermal discomfort (modified Gagge scales), perceived exertion (Borg scale), and perceptual strain index.Results:Prerace body-core temperatures were (mean ± SD) 37.7°C ± 0.4°C (range 37.0°C to 38.2°C), rising to 39.0°C ± 0.4°C (range 38.4°C to 39.7°C) postrace. Driver heart rates were >160 and >170 beats/min for 85.3% and 46.7% of racing, respectively. Sweat rates were 1.06 ± 0.12 L/h or 13.4 ± 1.2 mL · kg−1 · h−1, and postrace dehydration was 0.6% ± 0.6% of prerace body mass. Drivers rated thermal sensation as hot (10.3 ± 0.9), thermal discomfort as uncomfortable (3.1 ± 1.0), and perceived exertion as very hard to very, very hard (8.7 ± 1.7) after the races. Overall physiological and perceptual strain were 7.4 ± 1.0 and 7.1 ± 1.2, respectively.Conclusions:Despite the use of cooling, V8 Supercar drivers endure thermal, cardiovascular, and perceptual strain during brief driving bouts in hot conditions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 185 (7-8) ◽  
pp. e1175-e1182
Author(s):  
William De Bry ◽  
Patrick Mullie ◽  
Eva D’Hondt ◽  
Peter Clarys

Abstract Introduction Malnutrition, suboptimal hydration, and inadequate body composition can have negative consequences on soldiers’ performance and health. A recent consensus statement concerning “soldiers’ physical performance” points to the scarcity of data in specific military populations. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess and compare dietary intake, hydration status, and body composition of three military groups during their specific military training. Materials and Methods Eighty-five soldiers (ie, 21 in a qualification course to join the Special Forces [SF], 22 Infantrymen [Chasseurs Ardennais, CA], and 42 Recruits [REs]) participated in this 3- to 4-day study. Body mass was assessed before and after each study period. All soldiers self-reported their dietary intakes, from which energy and macronutrient intakes were calculated. In addition, their morning urine samples were collected daily to assess urine specific gravity (USG) as a measure of hydration status. Fat mass was estimated at the end of the study using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results All groups lost significant amounts of body mass (ie, mean losses ranging between 1.3 and 1.7 kg). Macronutrient intakes were not fully met in respect to the recommendations. Most notably, REs’ fat intake was high (ie, 42.3 [±1.6] energy percent [E%]), while their carbohydrate intake was low (ie, 44.5 [±2.1] E%). Furthermore, saturated fat intakes were high among all groups (ie, group means ranging between 13.6 and 21.4 E%). USG values indicated suboptimal hydration status was prevalent in all groups. Most noteworthy, for SF, only 5.4% of the USG values indicated optimal hydration. The average fat mass (%) for SF, CA, and RE was 11.2 (±3.1), 18.8 (±5.1), and 19.4 (±5.0), respectively. Conclusion The present study showed that military men are not always adequately fed nor hydrated. These issues should be resolved by creating nutritional packages, and individual dietary and hydration strategies, all in function of military planning and weather conditions.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen X. Muñoz ◽  
Evan C. Johnson ◽  
Laura J. Kunces ◽  
Amy L. McKenzie ◽  
Michael Wininger ◽  
...  

We investigated the impact of nutrient intake on hydration biomarkers in cyclists before and after a 161 km ride, including one hour after a 650 mL water bolus consumed post-ride. To control for multicollinearity, we chose a clustering-based, machine learning statistical approach. Five hydration biomarkers (urine color, urine specific gravity, plasma osmolality, plasma copeptin, and body mass change) were configured as raw- and percent change. Linear regressions were used to test for associations between hydration markers and eight predictor terms derived from 19 nutrients merged into a reduced-dimensionality dataset through serial k-means clustering. Most predictor groups showed significant association with at least one hydration biomarker: (1) Glycemic Load + Carbohydrates + Sodium, (2) Protein + Fat + Zinc, (3) Magnesium + Calcium, (4) Pinitol, (5) Caffeine, (6) Fiber + Betaine, and (7) Water; potassium + three polyols, and mannitol + sorbitol showed no significant associations with any hydration biomarker. All five hydration biomarkers were associated with at least one nutrient predictor in at least one configuration. We conclude that in a real-life scenario, some nutrients may serve as mediators of body water, and urine-specific hydration biomarkers may be more responsive to nutrient intake than measures derived from plasma or body mass.


2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 621-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vahur Ööpik ◽  
Saima Timpmann ◽  
Andres Burk ◽  
Innar Hannus

We assessed the urinary indexes of hydration status of Greco-Roman wrestlers in an authentic precompetition situation at the time of official weigh-in (OWI). A total of 51 of 89 wrestlers competing in the Estonian Championship in 2009 donated a urine sample. Questionnaire responses revealed that 27 wrestlers (body mass losers (BMLs)) reduced body mass before the competition, whereas 24 wrestlers (those who do not lose body mass (n-BMLs)) did not. In 42 wrestlers, values of urine specific gravity ≥1.020 and urine osmolality ≥700 mOsmol·kg−1 revealed a hypohydrated status. The prevalence of hypohydration in the BMLs (96%) was higher than in the n-BMLs (67%) (χ2 = 7.68; p < 0.05). The prevalence of serious hypohydration (urine specific gravity >1.030) was 5.3 times greater (χ2 = 8.32; p < 0.05) in the BMLs than in the n-BMLs. In the BMLs, the extent of body mass gain during the 16-h recovery (2.5 ± 1.2 kg) was associated (r = 0.764; p < 0.05) with self-reported precompetition body mass loss (4.3 ± 2.0 kg) and exceeded the body mass gain observed in the n-BMLs (0.7 ± 1.2 kg; p < 0.05). We conclude that hypohydration is prevalent among Greco-Roman wrestlers at the time of OWI. The prevalence of hypohydration and serious hypohydration is especially high among wrestlers who are accustomed to reducing body mass before competition. These results suggest that an effective rehydration strategy is needed for Olympic-style wrestlers, and that changes in wrestling rules should be considered to reduce the prevalence of harmful body mass management behaviours.


2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew S. Palmer ◽  
Lawrence L. Spriet

Previous research in many sports suggests that losing ~1%–2% body mass through sweating impairs athletic performance. Elite-level hockey involves high-intensity bursts of skating, arena temperatures are >10 °C, and players wear protective equipment, all of which promote sweating. This study examined the pre-practice hydration, on-ice fluid intake, and sweat and sodium losses of 44 candidates for Canada’s junior men’s hockey team (mean ± SE age, 18.4 ± 0.1 y; height, 184.8 ± 0.9 cm; mass, 89.9 ± 1.1 kg). Players were studied in groups of 10–12 during 4 intense 1 h practices (13.9 °C, 66% relative humidity) on 1 day. Hydration status was estimated by measuring urine specific gravity (USG). Sweat rate was calculated from body mass changes and fluid intake. Sweat sodium concentration ([Na]) was analyzed in forehead sweat patch samples and used with sweat rate to estimate sodium loss. Over 50% of players began practice mildly hypohydrated (USG > 1.020). Sweat rate during practice was 1.8 ± 0.1 L·h–1 and players replaced 58% (1.0 ± 0.1 L·h–1) of the sweat lost. Body mass loss averaged 0.8% ± 0.1%, but 1/3 of players lost more than 1%. Sweat [Na] was 54.2 ± 2.4 mmol·L–1 and sodium loss averaged 2.26 ± 0.17 g during practice. Players drank only water during practice and replaced no sodium. In summary, elite junior hockey players incurred large sweat and sodium losses during an intense practice, but 2/3 of players drank enough to minimize body mass loss. However, 1/3 of players lost more than 1% body mass despite ready access to fluid and numerous drinking opportunities from the coaches.


2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 497-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjoern Geesmann ◽  
Joachim Mester ◽  
Karsten Koehler

Athletes competing in ultra-endurance events are advised to meet energy requirements, to supply appropriate amounts of carbohydrates (CHO), and to be adequately hydrated before and during exercise. In practice, these recommendations may not be followed because of satiety, gastrointestinal discomfort, and fatigue. The purpose of the study was to assess energy balance, macronutrient intake and hydration status before and during a 1,230-km bike marathon. A group of 14 well-trained participants (VO2max: 63.2 ± 3.3 ml/kg/min) completed the marathon after 42:47 hr. Ad libitum food and fluid intake were monitored throughout the event. Energy expenditure (EE) was derived from power output and urine and blood markers were collected before the start, after 310, 618, and 921 km, after the finish, and 12 hr after the finish. Energy intake (EI; 19,749 ± 4,502 kcal) was lower than EE (25,303 ± 2,436 kcal) in 12 of 14 athletes. EI and CHO intake (average: 57.1 ± 17.7 g/hr) decreased significantly after km 618 (p < .05). Participants ingested on average 392 ± 85 ml/hr of fluid, but fluid intake decreased after km 618 (p < .05). Hydration appeared suboptimal before the start (urine specific gravity: 1.022 ± 0.010 g/ml) but did not change significantly throughout the event. The results show that participants failed to maintain in energy balance and that CHO and fluid intake dropped below recommended values during the second half of the bike marathon. Individual strategies to overcome satiety and fatigue may be necessary to improve eating and drinking behavior during prolonged ultra-endurance exercise.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilita Ozoliņa ◽  
Inese Pontaga ◽  
Igors Ķīsis

Abstract The aim of our investigation was to determine and compare the pre- and post- training body hydration status in professional and amateur male ice hockey players consumed the drinks according to their thirst sensation in winter conditions. Materials and methods: 11 amateur and 23 professional ice hockey players participated in the investigation. The players were weighted before and after training using precise scales. The body mass composition of every athlete was determined by the body composition analyzer. Every player collected mid–stream urine specimens before and after the training. Urine specific gravity (USG) was measured by urine refractometer. Results: 56% of the professional ice hockey players and 82% of amateur players were hypohydrated before training according to their USG values ≥ 1.020, 5% of professional players were dehydrated their USG values ≥ 1.030. After the training with duration of 1.5 hours the mean body mass decreased for 0.9±0.5% of pre– training value in amateur players and for 1.6±0.8% in professionals (p=0.005). After the training the professional players’ hydration status worsened: 66% were hypohydrated and 26% dehydrated according to USG, the mean USG after training was significantly higher than before it (p=0.011). USG after training did not change in amateur players: their mean USG values before and after training did not differed significantly (p=0.677). Conclusions: Fluid uptake according to thirst sensation in winter conditions cannot compensate the fluid loss at rest and during training especially in professional ice hockey players. The body mass loss exceeded value critical for performance - 2 % in one third part of professionals. The differences between two groups can be explained by higher intensity of exercises during training, the better physical conditioning and greater sweating rate in professional players in comparison with amateurs, which causes close to twice greater uncompensated fluid loss in professionals than in amateurs.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document