The Effect of Exercise Induced Dehydration on SCAT3

Abstract

Sports-related concussions are plentiful in the United States. Various diagnostic tools are utilized in order to monitor deviations from baseline in memory, reaction time, symptoms, and balance. Evidence indicates that dehydration may also alter diagnostic tests. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of exercise-induced dehydration on deviations in cognitive performance related to concussion diagnostics. METHODS: Seventeen recreationally active subjects (age = 23.1 + 3.1 years, height = 168.93 + 10.71 cm, mass = 66.16 + 7.14 kg). Subjects performed three thermoneutral, counterbalanced sessions (control, euhydrated, dehydrated). Subjects were either restricted (0.0 L/hr) or provided fluids (1.0 L/hr) while treadmill running for 60 min at an intensity equal to 65-70% age-predicted maximum heart rate (APMHR). Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3 (SCAT3) was utilized to assess symptoms, memory, balance, and coordination. RESULTS: We found a significant difference between sessions on modified BESS. (F2,16 = 8.87, P = 0.003). The control session had a significantly lower mean symptom score (2.93 + 3.28) than the dehydrated session (10.93 + 11.46; P = .028). The control session had a significantly higher mean memory score (28.27 + 1.28) than the dehydrated session (27.60 + 1.72; P = .046). CONCLUSIONS: Mild exercise-induced dehydration results in increased self-reported symptoms associated with concussions. Similarly, adequate hydration during exercise may help maintain cognitive function and balance during sport.