Influence of hydration on physiological function and performance during trail running in the heat

Abstract

Context: Authors of most field studies have not observed decrements in physiologic function and performance with increases in dehydration, although authors of well-controlled laboratory studies have consistently reported this relationship. Investigators in these field studies did not control exercise intensity, a known modulator of body core temperature.

Objective: To directly examine the effect of moderate water deficit on the physiologic responses to various exercise intensities in a warm outdoor setting.

Design: Semirandomized, crossover design.

Setting: Field setting.

Patients or other participants: Seventeen distance runners (9 men, 8 women; age = 27 +/- 7 years, height = 171 +/- 9 cm, mass = 64.2 +/- 9.0 kg, body fat = 14.6% +/- 5.5%).

Intervention(s): Participants completed four 12-km runs (consisting of three 4-km loops) in the heat (average wet bulb globe temperature = 26.5 degrees C): (1) a hydrated, race trial (HYR), (2) a dehydrated, race trial (DYR), (3) a hydrated, submaximal trial (HYS), and (4) a dehydrated, submaximal trial (DYS).

Main outcome measure(s): For DYR and DYS trials, dehydration was measured by body mass loss. In the submaximal trials, participants ran at a moderate pace that was matched by having them speed up or slow down based on pace feedback provided by researchers. Intestinal temperature was recorded using ingestible thermistors, and participants wore heart rate monitors to measure heart rate.

Results: Body mass loss in relation to a 3-day baseline was greater for the DYR (-4.30% +/- 1.25%) and DYS trials (-4.59% +/- 1.32%) than for the HYR (-2.05% +/- 1.09%) and HYS (-2.0% +/- 1.24%) trials postrun (P < .001). Participants ran faster for the HYR (53.15 +/- 6.05 minutes) than for the DYR (55.7 +/- 7.45 minutes; P < .01), but speed was similar for HYS (59.57 +/- 5.31 minutes) and DYS (59.44 +/- 5.44 minutes; P > .05). Intestinal temperature immediately postrun was greater for DYR than for HYR (P < .05), the only significant difference. Intestinal temperature was greater for DYS than for HYS postloop 2, postrun, and at 10 and 20 minutes postrun (all: P < .001). Intestinal temperature and heart rate were 0.22 degrees C and 6 beats/min higher, respectively, for every additional 1% body mass loss during the DYS trial compared with the HYS trial.

Conclusions: A small decrement in hydration status impaired physiologic function and performance while trail running in the heat.

Figure 1

Body mass (mean ± SD) throughout the race (A) and submaximal (B) trials, with associated percentage of body mass lost compared with baseline. ^a P ≤ .05 for the same time point between hydration states. Figure 1A reprinted with permission of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Colorado Springs, CO, from Stearns RL, Casa DJ, Lopez RM, et al.

Figure 2

Heart rate and core body temperature (mean ± SD) throughout race (A) and submaximal (B) trials. ^a P ≤ .05 for the same time point between hydration states.

Figure 3

Race trial performance times (mean ± SD) ^a P ≤ .05 for the same time point between hydration states. Reprinted with permission of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Colorado Springs, CO, from Stearns RL, Casa DJ, Lopez RM, et al.

Figure 4

Rating of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal sensation, and thirst (mean ± SD) throughout the race (A) and submaximal (B) trials. ^a P ≤ .05 for the same time point between hydration states.