Utility of Thirst as a Measure of Hydration Status Following Exercise Induced Dehydration

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
William M. Adams, Assistant Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the perception of thirst as a marker of hydration status following prolonged exercise in the heat. Twelve men (mean ± SD; age, 23 ± 4 y; body mass, 81.4 ± 9.9 kg; height, 182 ± 9 cm; body fat, 14.3% ± 4.7%) completed two 180 min bouts of exercise on a motorized treadmill in a hot environment (35.2 ± 0.6 °C; RH, 30.0 ± 5.4%), followed by a 60 min recovery period. Participants completed a euhydrated (EUH) and hypohydrated (HYPO) trial. During recovery, participants were randomly assigned to either fluid replacement (EUHFL and HYPOFL; 10 min ad libitum consumption) or no fluid replacement (EUHNF and HYPONF). Thirst was measured using both a nine-point scale and separate visual analog scales. The percent of body mass loss (%BML) was significantly greater immediately post exercise in HYPO (HYPOFL, 3.0% ± 1.2%; HYPONF, 2.6% ± 0.6%) compared to EUH (EUHFL, 0.2% ± 0.7%; EUHNF, 0.6% ± 0.5%) trials (p < 0.001). Following recovery, there were no differences in %BML between HYPOFL and HYPONF (p > 0.05) or between EUHFL and EUHNF (p > 0.05). Beginning at minute 5 during the recovery period, thirst perception was significantly greater in HYPONF than EUHFL, EUHNF, and HYPOFL (p < 0.05). A 10 min, ad libitum consumption of fluid post exercise when hypohydrated (%BML > 2%), negated differences in perception of thirst between euhydrated and hypohydrated trials. These results represent a limitation in the utility of thirst in guiding hydration practices.

Additional Information

Publication
Nutrients;11(11):2689
Language: English
Date: 2019
Keywords
fluid replacement, hypohydration, assessment, perception, exercise

Email this document to