Mild Hypohydration Following 24-hour Water Intake Reduction Does Not Affect Anaerobic Power Performance

Abstract

Hypohydration is common among athletes and can be the result of a failure to maintain hydration between exercise bouts. The negative impact of hypohydration on aerobic performance is well characterized. However, little is known about the effect of hypohydration on anaerobic performance particularly when the hypohydration is the result of insufficient water intake prior to the onset of exercise, not water loss due to body temperature regulation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of hypohydration on anaerobic performance following voluntary water intake reduction. METHODS: Fifteen healthy adults (8 women, 7 men) completed two exercise sessions, euhydrated (EUD) and hypohydrated (HYP). Subjects were asked to voluntarily limit water intake during the 24-hours prior to the hypohydrated trial. Sessions consisted of baseline anthropometric and blood lactate measurement followed by a 30-second Wingate test and 3 maximum vertical jump trials. The vertical jump trials were completed approximately 1 minute after finishing the 30-second Wingate test and used to measure anaerobic performance in an anaerobically challenged state. Additional blood lactate measurements were taken immediately and at 5, 10, and 15-min post Wingate test. RESULTS: The hypohydration protocol resulted in a significant 1.5% reduction in body mass (EUD 69.1 ± 17.2kg, HYP 68.1 ± 16.6kg, p = 0.039). The 30-sec Wingate peak power (EUD 971 ± 302W, HYP 960 ± 316W, p = 0.578) was not different between conditions, nor was maximum vertical jump height (EUH 26.4 ± 4.5cm, HYP 26.6 ± 3.6cm, p = 0.778). Blood lactate (p ≤ 0.001) was elevated immediately following the 30-sec Wingate test and remained elevated throughout the remainder of the trial. There were no differences in blood lactate between conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Acute anaerobic power and exercise performance are not negatively affected by mild voluntary hypohydration during and following a single 30-second Wingate test.