Abstract
Background: Hydration status is a controversial determinant of athletic performance. This relationship has not been examined with mountaineering performance.Methods: This was a prospective observational study of mountaineers who attempted to climb Denali in Alaska. Participants’ urine specific gravity (SG), and ultrasound measurements of the inferior vena cava size and collapsibility index (IVC-CI) were measured at rest prior to ascent. Upon descent, climbers reported maximum elevation gained for determination of summit success.Results: One hundred twenty-one participants enrolled in the study. Data were collected on 111 participants (92% response rate); of those, 105 (87%) had complete hydration data. Fifty-seven percent of study participants were found to be dehydrated by IVC-CI on ultrasound, and 55% by urine SG. No significant association was found with summit success and quantitative measurements of hydration: IVC-CI (50.4% +/- 15.6 vs. 52.9% +/- 15.4, p = 0.91), IVC size (0.96 cm +/- 0.3 vs. 0.99 cm +/- 0.3, p = 0.81), and average SG (1.02 +/- 0.008 vs. 1.02 +/- 0.008, p = 0.87). Categorical measurements of urine SG found 24% more successful summiters were hydrated at 14 Camp, but this was not found to be statistically significant (p = 0.56). Summit success was associated with greater water-carrying capacity on univariate analysis only: 2.3 L, 95% confidence interval (2.1 – 2.5) vs. 2.1 L, 95% confidence interval (2 – 2.2); p < 0.01.Conclusions: Intravascular dehydration was found in approximately half of technical high-altitude mountaineers. Hydration status was not significantly associated with summit success, but increased water-carrying capacity may be an easy and inexpensive educational intervention to improve performance.
Highlights
Mountain climbing is a popular pastime, with over 120 million annual visitors to the European Alps [1] and 25,000 annual climbers attempting Mount Kilimanjaro [2]
Intravascular dehydration was found in approximately half of technical highaltitude mountaineers
Much research has been done on the effects of nutrition and acclimatization on high-altitude exercise capacity, but little study has focused on hydration and performance in the high mountains
Summary
Mountain climbing is a popular pastime, with over 120 million annual visitors to the European Alps [1] and 25,000 annual climbers attempting Mount Kilimanjaro [2]. How to cite this article Ladd E, Shea K M, Bagley P, et al (December 07, 2016) Hydration Status as a Predictor of High-altitude Mountaineering Performance. The fastest athletes in races have often been found to lose the greatest amount of weight during competition [6]. These findings contrast with controlled prospective studies that show dehydration decreases athletic performance [7]. Hydration and performance trends from low-altitude endurance events have limited generalizability to the hypobaric, cold-weather environments found in the high mountains where the majority of travelers are dehydrated [9]. Hydration status is a controversial determinant of athletic performance This relationship has not been examined with mountaineering performance
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