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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-12-2013 | Original Article

Half-marathon running performance is not improved by a rate of fluid intake above that dictated by thirst sensation in trained distance runners

Authors: Tommy Dion, Félix A. Savoie, Audrey Asselin, Carolanne Gariepy, Eric D. B. Goulet

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 12/2013

Abstract

Purpose

It has been demonstrated that exercise-induced dehydration (EID) does not impair, and ad libitum drinking optimizes, cycling time-trial (TT) performance. However, the idea that EID ≥ 2 % bodyweight (BW) impairs endurance performance is well ingrained. No study has tested the impact of EID upon running TT performance. We compared the effects of thirst-driven (TD) vs. programmed fluid intake (PFI) aimed at maintaining EID-associated BW loss <2 % on half-marathon performance.

Methods

Ten trained distance runners underwent, in a randomized, crossover fashion, two, 21.1 km running TTs on a treadmill (30 °C, 42 % relative humidity) while facing a wind speed matching running speed and drinking water (1) according to thirst sensation (TD) or (2) to maintain BW loss <2 % of their pre-exercise BW (PFI), as recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Results

Despite that PFI significantly reduced EID from 3.1 ± 0.6 (TD) to 1.3 ± 0.7 % BW (PFI), mean rectal temperature from 39.4 ± 0.4 to 39.1 ± 0.3 °C, mean body temperature from 38.1 ± 0.4 to 37.7 ± 0.2 °C and mean heart rate from 175 ± 9 to 171 ± 8 bpm, neither half-marathon time (TD 89.8 ± 7.7; PFI 89.6 ± 7.7 min) nor running pace (TD 4.3 ± 0.4; PFI 4.2 ± 0.4 min/km) differed significantly between trials.

Conclusion

Albeit providing trivial cardiovascular and thermoregulatory advantages, in trained distance runners, PFI (1,380 ± 320 mL/h) offers no performance benefits over TD fluid intake (384 ± 180 mL/h) during a half-marathon raced under warm conditions.

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Title: Half-marathon running performance is not improved by a rate of fluid intake above that dictated by thirst sensation in trained distance runners
Authors: Tommy Dion
Félix A. Savoie
Audrey Asselin
Carolanne Gariepy
Eric D. B. Goulet
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 12/2013
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-013-2730-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Half-marathon running performance is not improved by a rate of fluid intake above that dictated by thirst sensation in trained distance runners

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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