By Brad A. Roy, Ph.D., FACSM, FACHE
Water composes more than half the human body and is essential in the function of our cells. Temperature maintenance and circulation are but a few vital processes dependent on this important fluid. Thus, an appropriate fluid balance is important to our health and well-being.
When we exercise, our body uses various fuels (carbohydrate, fat, and protein) to provide energy for our muscles to work. The breakdown of these fuel substrates and the resulting muscular contraction produce heat that increases core temperature. To prevent excessive heat buildup, our body responds by increasing skin blood flow and sweat secretion. Heat exchange between the skin and environment, especially via sweat evaporation, is the primary mechanism for dissipating the excess heat. Although necessary, this crucial process also results in a loss of body water and electrolytes.
Exercise intensity, duration, and environmental conditions can affect sweat rates, water loss, and cooling ability. On hot days, the difference between skin and air temperature narrows, challenging our ability to effectively transfer heat to the environment. The addition of humidity further compromises the sweat evaporation cooling process as the ambient air is already highly saturated with water vapor, reducing evaporative heat exchange. In addition, individual characteristics such as economy of movement, body weight, genetics, clothing, and heat acclimatization also influence sweat rates and associated cooling.
Increased sweat rates, particularly those stimulated by hot weather, can result in substantial water and electrolyte losses. Thus, appropriate fluid intake before, during, and after exercise is important. Inappropriate fluid intake, especially over hydration, can have serious medical consequences, including death.
Before the 1970s, athletes were advised not to drink during competitive events. During the following two decades, research was published indicating that dehydration, defined as an exercise weight loss greater than 2%, could impair performance. Thus, drinking guidelines were developed that emphasized the importance of early and regular drinking to stay ahead of thirst, minimize weight loss, and maintain performance.
Unfortunately, these early recommendations led some people to overhydrate, resulting in gastric discomfort, altered performance, and, in rare and severe cases, the development of water intoxication or hyponatremia. Exercise-associated hyponatremia is a serious medical condition that can result in death. Risk factors associated with hyponatremia include pre-exercise overhydration, excessive drinking (>1.5 L per hour) during exercise, low body weight, female sex, extreme environmental temperatures, exercise pace, and extended exercise duration.
It is not plausible to recommend a standardized fluid replacement protocol for all people because of the numerous variables involved. However, the following general principles will guide you in developing an individualized fluid replacement strategy.
Before exercise, make sure you are adequately hydrated:
- Beverage consumption with meals will enhance fluid replacement and pre-exercise/event hydration.
- Recovery from the previous exercise session should be 8 to 12 hours or more to enhance fluid replacement.
- Tracking daily weight is helpful in evaluating hydration status because post-exercise and day-to-day variations are likely from fluid loss.
- Consider drinking 16 to 20 fluid oz 4 hours before exercise, especially if pre-exercise weight is reduced.
During exercise, drink according to your thirst sensation; no more or no less.
- Drinking more than 800 mL per hour is not recommended and may increase the risk for developing dilutional hyponatremia.
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During extreme weather conditions, fluid intake and pace may require additional adjustment.
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For prolonged exercise, beverages containing 6% to 8% carbohydrate may provide additional benefit.
After exercise:
- Drink 16 to 24 oz of fluid for every pound lost.
- Post-exercise meals should include fluid intake.
Physical exercise, especially in hot conditions, can elicit high sweat rates and associated water loss. Although significant dehydration can affect performance, over drinking can lead to serious hyponatremia. Thus, fluid replacement strategies should be individualized and take into consideration environmental conditions, exercise intensity and duration, pre-post body weight, body size, and other individual characteristics.
Brad A. Roy, Ph.D., FACSM, FACHE, is an administrator/executive director at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He is responsible for The Summit Medical Fitness Center, a 114,800 sq ft medical fitness center located in Kalispell, Montana, and a number of other hospital departments. He is the editor of the Medical Fitness Association’s Standards and Guidelines for Medical Fitness Center Facilities and a past board chairman for the Medical Fitness Association.
ACSM’S Health & Fitness Journal – Volume 17, Issue 4
Copyright © 2013 by American College of Sports Medicine
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