Abstract
The effect of hydration status on performance has not been adequately emphasized or examined in swimmers. Theoretically moderate overhydration might reduce the proportionate fluid loss from the circulation during exercise of this nature. To explore this issue, 11 (5 women, 6 men) collegiate swimmers swam 2 183-m (200-yd) time trials (3 days apart) in alternate, randomized euhydrated (EUH) and overhydrated (OH) states. Pre-exercise plasma osmolality (EUH: 288.5 ± 2.5 and OH: 284.6 ± 3.3 mOsmolkg−1; p < 0.001), urine specific gravity (EUH: 1.022 ± 0.003 and OH: 1.012 ± 0.003; p < 0.001), and body weight (EUH: 72.1 ± 9.3 and OH: 72.6 ± 9.2 kg; p < 0.01) values distinguished the two hydration states of the swimmers. There was no difference (p > 0.05) between hydration states in postexercise plasma osmolality (EUH: 312.8 ± 4.8 and OH: 307.2 ± 9.9 mOsmolkg−1), plasma volume (EUH:-16.5 ± 10.0 and OH:-17.7 ± 6.8 %δ), plasma lactate (EUH: 18.6 ± 3.6 and OH: 17.8 ± 3.4 mmol1−1), heart rate (EUH: 167 ± 11 and OH: 166 ± 16 beatsmin−1), or perceived exertion (EUH: 16 ± 1 and OH: 16 ± 2) responses. Although performance time improved for 7 of the 11 swimmers during OH, there was not a statistically significant difference between the EUH (121.2 ± 8.1 seconds) and OH (120.8 ± 7.7 seconds) conditions. However, there was a modest bivariate correlation (r = −0.602; p < 0.05) between the change in body weight and change in performance time in going from the EUH to OH trials. These data demonstrated that overhydration provided no performance advantage for this group during a 183-m time-trial swim but emphasized the mportance of adequate hydration in swim performance.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.