Cognitive Performance Before and Following Habituation to Exercise-Induced Hypohydration of 2 and 4% Body Mass in Physically Active Individuals

Abstract

We investigated the effect of repeated exposures to hypohydration upon cognitive performance. In a randomized crossover design, ten physically active adults completed two 4-week training blocks, one where they maintained euhydration (EUH) and the other where they were water-restricted (DEH) during walking/running at 55% V.O2max, 40 °C. Three sessions per week were performed: (1) 1 h of exercise, (2) exercise until 2% or (3) 4% of body mass has been lost or replaced. Limited to the first and fourth training week, a 12 min walking/running time-trial was completed following the 2 and 4% exercise bouts. Trail making, the Wisconsin card sort, the Stop signal task, Simple visual reaction time and Corsi block-tapping tests were performed immediately following the time-trials. Body mass loss was maintained < 1% with EUH and reached 2.7 and 4.7% with DEH following the time-trials. Except for a lower percentage of correct responses (% accuracy) during the Wisconsin card sort test (p < 0.05) with DEH compared to EUH, no statistically significant decline in cognitive performance was induced by low and moderate levels of hypohydration. Compared to week 1, no statistical differences in cognitive responses were observed after repeated exposures to hypohydration (all p > 0.05). From a practical perspective, the gains in cognitive performance following training to DEH were mostly unclear, but under certain circumstances, were greater than when EUH was maintained. Based on the battery of cognitive tests used in the current study, we conclude that whether physically active individuals are habituated or not to its effect, exercise-induced hypohydration of 2 and 4% has, in general, no or unclear impact on cognitive performance immediately following exercise. These results encourage further research in this area.

Keywords: cognitive performance; executive functions; exercise-induced dehydration; hypohydration.

Figure 1

Changes from pre- to post-exercise in plasma natremia measured at the end of the fixed-intensity exercise period (A), and urine osmolality (B) and urine specific gravity (C) measured at the end of the 12 min time-trial while replacing or not 2 or 4% body mass losses, pre- and post-training. Values are means ± SD. Δ = difference. EUH = euhydrated; DEH = dehydrated; Cond = condition (2 vs. 4%); Hyd = hydration (EUH vs. DEH). Only the significant effects are reported.

Figure 2

Heart rate (A), rectal temperature (B), perceived exertion (C) and perceived thirst (D) at the end of the 12 min time-trial while replacing or not 2 or 4% body mass losses, pre- and post-training. Values are means ± SD. EUH = euhydrated; DEH = dehydrated; Cond = condition (2 vs. 4%); Hyd = hydration (EUH vs. DEH); Training (pre vs. post); AU: arbitrary units. Only the significant effects are reported.

Figure 3

Changes in the total time to complete the Trail making test (A), mean response time during the Simple visual reaction time (B), mean stop signal response time during the Stop signal task (C) and perseverative errors during the Wisconsin card sort test (D) while replacing or not 2 or 4% body mass losses, pre- and post-training. Values are means ± SD. EUH = euhydrated; DEH = dehydrated; Training (pre vs. post); SSRT: Stop signal response time. Only the significant effects are reported.