Effects of Hydration Changes on Neuromuscular Function of Athletes

Launched by FACULDADE DE MOTRICIDADE HUMANA · May 13, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring how changes in hydration levels—both dehydration and hyperhydration—affect the muscle strength and function of athletes. Researchers want to understand the link between how well athletes perform and their water intake, particularly focusing on highly trained athletes who drink less water. The goal is to determine if increasing water consumption can improve muscle function and overall athletic performance, especially since many athletes may not be drinking enough and could be at risk for dehydration.

To participate in the trial, athletes need to be between 18 and 35 years old, live in or around Lisbon, and train extensively—at least 6 hours a week. They should also be classified as low drinkers, meaning they consume less than 35 ml of water per kilogram of body weight each day. Participants will be monitored through various assessments, and they should be willing to avoid alcohol during the study. This research is important because it aims to find simple ways to identify dehydration in athletes and improve their health and performance through better hydration practices.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Highly trained athletes (i.e., participating in national and international championships and/or ≥6 h of training per week)
• • Athletes considered low drinkers (i.e., total water intake ≤ 35ml/kg/)
• • Aged between 18 and 35 years
• • Living in Lisbon and/or its surroundings
• • All women should have a (self-reported) normal menstrual cycle (i.e., cycles at median intervals of less than 35 days)
• • Completion of the sport's medical examination
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Total water intake above 35ml/kg/day.
• • Clinical history compatible with exertional heat illness (i.e., heat stroke, heat exhaustion, hyperthermia, among other events that suggest poor response to thermically challenging environments)
• • Taking medication known to alter the normal fluid-electrolyte balance, plasma osmolality, urinary osmolality, or the chronotropic response to exercise (e.g., diuretics, antidiuretics, laxatives, oral contraceptives, drugs to control blood pressure (39)
• • Exhibiting self-reported metabolic disorders or malfunction of salivary glands
• • Active smoking status
• • Unwilling to abstain from alcohol during this study
• • Respiratory disorders, including asthma
• • Injuries that would limit exercise performance
• • Mechanical prostheses
• • Pregnancy /planning to get pregnant within the next 8 months
• • Having been pregnant within the past 6 months or breastfeeding
• • Failure to complete the dietary intake and physical activity recording
• • Unable to communicate with local study staff
• • Needle phobia
• • Inability to complete the study within the designated time frame because of plans to move out of the study area or occurrence of competition periods during the study timeframe
• • Inability to attend the visits/appointments and evaluation measurements