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Pérez-Castillo ÍM, Williams JA, López-Chicharro J, Mihic N, Rueda R, Bouzamondo H, Horswill CA. Compositional Aspects of Beverages Designed to Promote Hydration Before, During, and After Exercise: Concepts Revisited. Nutrients 2023; 16:17. [PMID: 38201848 PMCID: PMC10781183 DOI: 10.3390/nu16010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypohydration can impair aerobic performance and deteriorate cognitive function during exercise. To minimize hypohydration, athletes are recommended to commence exercise at least euhydrated, ingest fluids containing sodium during long-duration and/or high-intensity exercise to prevent body mass loss over 2% and maintain elevated plasma osmolality, and rapidly restore and retain fluid and electrolyte homeostasis before a second exercise session. To achieve these goals, the compositions of the fluids consumed are key; however, it remains unclear what can be considered an optimal formulation for a hydration beverage in different settings. While carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions such as sports drinks have been extensively explored as a source of carbohydrates to meet fuel demands during intense and long-duration exercise, these formulas might not be ideal in situations where fluid and electrolyte balance is impaired, such as practicing exercise in the heat. Alternately, hypotonic compositions consisting of moderate to high levels of electrolytes (i.e., ≥45 mmol/L), mainly sodium, combined with low amounts of carbohydrates (i.e., <6%) might be useful to accelerate intestinal water absorption, maintain plasma volume and osmolality during exercise, and improve fluid retention during recovery. Future studies should compare hypotonic formulas and sports drinks in different exercise settings, evaluating different levels of sodium and/or other electrolytes, blends of carbohydrates, and novel ingredients for addressing hydration and rehydration before, during, and after exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Niko Mihic
- Real Madrid, Medical Services, 28055 Madrid, Spain; (J.L.-C.); (N.M.)
| | | | | | - Craig A. Horswill
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60608, USA;
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Carr AJ, McKay AKA, Burke LM, Smith ES, Urwin CS, Convit L, Jardine WT, Kelly MK, Saunders B. Use of Buffers in Specific Contexts: Highly Trained Female Athletes, Extreme Environments and Combined Buffering Agents-A Narrative Review. Sports Med 2023; 53:25-48. [PMID: 37878211 PMCID: PMC10721675 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-023-01872-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
This narrative review evaluated the evidence for buffering agents (sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate and beta-alanine), with specific consideration of three discrete scenarios: female athletes, extreme environments and combined buffering agents. Studies were screened according to exclusion and inclusion criteria and were analysed on three levels: (1) moderating variables (supplement dose and timing, and exercise test duration and intensity), (2) design factors (e.g., use of crossover or matched group study design, familiarisation trials) and (3) athlete-specific factors (recruitment of highly trained participants, buffering capacity and reported performance improvements). Only 19% of the included studies for the three buffering agents reported a performance benefit, and only 10% recruited highly trained athletes. This low transferability of research findings to athletes' real-world practices may be due to factors including the small number of sodium citrate studies in females (n = 2), no studies controlling for the menstrual cycle (MC) or menstrual status using methods described in recently established frameworks, and the limited number of beta-alanine studies using performance tests replicating real-world performance efforts (n = 3). We recommend further research into buffering agents in highly trained female athletes that control or account for the MC, studies that replicate the demands of athletes' heat and altitude camps, and investigations of highly trained athletes' use of combined buffering agents. In a practical context, we recommend developing evidence-based buffering protocols for individual athletes which feature co-supplementation with other evidence-based products, reduce the likelihood of side-effects, and optimise key moderating factors: supplement dose and timing, and exercise duration and intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia J Carr
- Centre for Sport Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia.
| | - Alannah K A McKay
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Louise M Burke
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ella S Smith
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Charles S Urwin
- Centre for Sport Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - Lilia Convit
- Centre for Sport Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - William T Jardine
- Centre for Sport Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - Monica K Kelly
- Centre for Sport Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - Bryan Saunders
- Applied Physiology and Nutrition Research Group, Rheumatology Division, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, School of Physical Education and Sport, Universidade de São Paulo, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine FMUSP, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Jardine WT, Aisbett B, Kelly MK, Burke LM, Ross ML, Condo D, Périard JD, Carr AJ. The Effect of Pre-Exercise Hyperhydration on Exercise Performance, Physiological Outcomes and Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Systematic Review. Sports Med 2023; 53:2111-2134. [PMID: 37490269 PMCID: PMC10587316 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-023-01885-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fluid loss during prolonged exercise in hot conditions poses thermoregulatory and cardiovascular challenges for athletes that can lead to impaired performance. Pre-exercise hyperhydration using nutritional aids is a strategy that may prevent or delay the adverse effects of dehydration and attenuate the impact of heat stress on exercise performance. OBJECTIVES The aim of this systematic review was to examine the current literature to determine the effect of pre-exercise hyperhydration on performance, key physiological responses and gastrointestinal symptoms. METHODS English language, full-text articles that compared the intervention with a baseline or placebo condition were included. An electronic search of Medline Complete, SPORTDiscus and Embase were used to identify articles with the final search conducted on 11 October 2022. Studies were assessed using the American Dietetic Association Quality Criteria Checklist. RESULTS Thirty-eight studies involving 403 participants (n = 361 males) were included in this review (n = 22 assessed exercise performance or capacity). Two studies reported an improvement in time-trial performance (range 5.7-11.4%), three studies reported an improvement in total work completed (kJ) (range 4-5%) and five studies reported an increase in exercise capacity (range 14.3-26.2%). During constant work rate exercise, nine studies observed a reduced mean heart rate (range 3-11 beats min-1), and eight studies reported a reduced mean core temperature (range 0.1-0.8 °C). Ten studies reported an increase in plasma volume (range 3.5-12.6%) compared with a control. Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in 26 studies, with differences in severity potentially associated with factors within the ingestion protocol of each study (e.g. treatment, dose, ingestion rate). CONCLUSIONS Pre-exercise hyperhydration may improve exercise capacity during constant work rate exercise due to a reduced heart rate and core temperature, stemming from an acute increase in plasma volume. The combination of different osmotic aids (e.g. glycerol and sodium) may enhance fluid retention and this area should continue to be explored. Future research should utilise valid and reliable methods of assessing gastrointestinal symptoms. Furthermore, studies should investigate the effect of hyperhydration on different exercise modalities whilst implementing a strong level of blinding. Finally, females are vastly underrepresented, and this remains a key area of interest in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T Jardine
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Centre for Sport Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia.
| | - Brad Aisbett
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Centre for Sport Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - Monica K Kelly
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Centre for Sport Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - Louise M Burke
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Exercise and Nutrition Research Program, Australian Catholic University, Watson, ACT, 2602, Australia
| | - Megan L Ross
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Exercise and Nutrition Research Program, Australian Catholic University, Watson, ACT, 2602, Australia
| | - Dominique Condo
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Centre for Sport Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - Julien D Périard
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, 2617, Australia
| | - Amelia J Carr
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Centre for Sport Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia
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