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Open Access 28-09-2024 | Motor Evoked Potential | Original Article

The effects of exercise, heat-induced hypo-hydration and rehydration on blood–brain-barrier permeability, corticospinal and peripheral excitability

Authors: Nasir Uddin, Jamie Scott, Jonathan Nixon, Stephen D. Patterson, Dawson Kidgell, Alan J. Pearce, Mark Waldron, Jamie Tallent

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology

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Abstract

Purpose

The effects of low-intensity exercise, heat-induced hypo-hydration and rehydration on maximal strength and the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms are not well understood.

Methods

To assess this, 12 participants took part in a randomised crossover study, in a prolonged (3 h) submaximal (60 W) cycling protocol under 3 conditions: (i) in 45 °C (achieving ~ 5% body mass reduction), with post-exercise rehydration in 2 h (RHY2), (ii) with rehydration across 24 h (RHY24), and (iii) a euhydrated trial in 25 °C (CON). Dependent variables included maximal voluntary contractions (MVC), maximum motor unit potential (MMAX), motor evoked potential (MEPRAW) amplitude and cortical silent period (cSP) duration. Blood–brain-barrier integrity was also assessed by serum Ubiquitin Carboxyl-terminal Hydrolase (UCH-L1) concentrations. All measures were obtained immediately pre, post, post 2 h and 24 h.

Results

During both dehydration trials, MVC (RHY2: p < 0.001, RHY24: p = 0.001) and MEPRAW (RHY2: p = 0.025, RHY24: p = 0.045) decreased from pre- to post-exercise. MEPRAW returned to baseline during RHY2 and CON, but not RHY24 (p = 0.020). MEP/MMAX ratio decreased across time for all trials (p = 0.009) and returned to baseline, except RHY24 (p < 0.026). Increased cSP (p = 0.011) was observed during CON post-exercise, but not during RHY2 and RHY24. Serum UCH-L1 increased across time for all conditions (p < 0.001) but was not significantly different between conditions.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate an increase in corticospinal inhibition after exercise with fluid ingestion, but a decrease in corticospinal excitability after heat-induced hypo-hydration. In addition, low-intensity exercise increases peripheral markers of blood–brain-barrier permeability.

Graphical abstract

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Metadata
Title
The effects of exercise, heat-induced hypo-hydration and rehydration on blood–brain-barrier permeability, corticospinal and peripheral excitability
Authors
Nasir Uddin
Jamie Scott
Jonathan Nixon
Stephen D. Patterson
Dawson Kidgell
Alan J. Pearce
Mark Waldron
Jamie Tallent
Publication date
28-09-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Applied Physiology
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-024-05616-x