Statement of the Third International Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia Consensus Development Conference, Carlsbad, California, 2015

Customizing individual heat mitigation strategies to optimize performance in elite athletes

The aim of this review is twofold: 1) provide a brief discussion surrounding the interindividual variability that has been observed within the context of heat acclimation/acclimatization, body cooling, and hydration strategies, and 2) provide the reader with a practitioner-focused approach for creating individualized heat mitigation strategies. Considering individual variability for heat acclimation and heat acclimatization, various body cooling strategies, and hydration assessment/fluid replacement is important to maximize effects of these strategies, which lead to better performance and health outcomes. There are many factors to consider, and comprehensive approaches are required. The evidenced-informed decision is critical when making an individual approach, and data will help to make decisions effectively. It is important to keep adjusting the approach based on observed data as data is useful information to check if the approach is effective. Specific considerations to individualize the plan are discussed in this review.

Exercise-associated Hyponatremia Developing Immediately after a Musical Stage Performance in a Healthy Actress

Exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) is a life-threatening dilutional hyponatremia that typically occurs during or immediately after exercise in endurance athletes. A 49-year-old actress experienced dizziness 15 min after a 2-h stage performance while drinking several bottles of water. Thirty minutes later, the patient fell unconscious and was hospitalized. On admission, she showed dilutional hyponatremia (117 mmol/L) with extremely elevated arginine vasopressin (11.3 pg/mL). After initial treatment with 3% saline, her sodium levels immediately increased, and she recovered consciousness without developing subsequent osmotic demyelination syndrome. This case emphasizes the need for caution against excessive fluid intake during and/or after exercise to avoid EAH, even in non-athletes.

The role of the clinical laboratory in diagnosing hyponatremia disorders

In clinical medicine, hyponatremia is highly prevalent and frequently misdiagnosed, leading to substantial mismanagement and iatrogenic morbidity. Its differential diagnosis includes numerous diseases with diverse etiologies, making accurate assessment challenging. Despite extensive literature and guidelines on hyponatremia, most patients do not receive adequate evaluation due to the limitations of diagnostic algorithms, which rely on low-value clinical signs and are unable to identify concurrent conditions. In this review, we examine the range of laboratory tests available for hyponatremia assessment. Understanding renal mechanisms of solute and water exchange (e.g., fractional excretion) is essential for selecting appropriate tests and interpreting their diagnostic value. Additionally, detailed electrolyte and acid-base assessments remain critical for establishing a definitive diagnosis. We comprehensively discuss the selection of laboratory tests for specific differential diagnoses of hyponatremia. Importantly, in cases of acute hyponatremia, rapid correction should take precedence over a complete diagnostic workup. Ultimately, a thorough understanding of laboratory evaluation is crucial for accurately diagnosing hyponatremia. This paper critically reviews the available literature and explores relevant diseases in the context of associated laboratory parameters.

Evolution of the thirst mechanism in Homo: The need and limitations of thirst and hydration

There is a view that the perception of thirst and actual body fluid balance may affect cognitive and exercise performance. The evolutionary evidence suggests that our survival was dependent on our ability to sweat profusely when hunting during the heat of the day (persistence hunting), so if water deficits were not tolerated, consequently the thirst mechanism would limit our persistence hunting capability. This also means that hunting and searching for water was undertaken with some extent of water deficit, and in turn suggests that performance; physical and cognitive, was conducted with a degree of dehydration. Given the current views on the maintenance of body water for performance, there is a need to evaluate the evidence relating to tolerance limits for water deficits with respect to both physical and cognitive performance. This review considers the thirst mechanism and the conditions and selective pressures under which this might have evolved. Consideration will be given to how the thirst mechanism influences our physical and cognitive performance. The review suggests that Homo developed appropriate tolerances for water deficits and thirst perception, with a safety margin that prevented detrimental declines in physical and cognitive performance to the point of inhibiting corrective action. This would have offered a selective advantage, enabling the search for water and functioning adequately during periods of water scarcity.

Increased risk of acute kidney injury in the first part of an ultra-trail-Implications for abandonment

Acute kidneys injuries (AKIs) have been described in marathon and trail running. The currently available data allows assessment of before/after comparisons but does not allow an analysis of what happens during the race. A multidisciplinary assessment protocol was performed during the first trail of Clécy (Normandy France) in November 2021. This allowed an initial assay to be carried out, then at the end of each of the 6 loops of 26 km, and finally after 24 h of recovery. The race extends over 156 km in hilly terrain and 6000 m of elevation gain (D+). The level of impairment according to the RIFLE classification was defined for each runner at each assay. Fifty-five runners were at the start, and the per protocol analysis involved 36 runners (27 men and 9 women, 26 finishers). Fifteen (41.7%) of the riders presented at least one result corresponding to a "RIFLE risk" level. After 24 h of rest, only one runner still had a "RIFLE Risk". The distance around the marathon seems to be the moment of greatest risk. For the first time, we find an association between this renal risk and the probability of abandonment. Many runners are vulnerable to kidney damage during long-duration exercise, which is why it's important to limit risk situations, such as the use of potentially toxic drugs or hydration disorders. The consumption of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) before or during an ultra-distance race should therefore be prohibited. Attention should be paid to hydration disorders.

An unusual case of marathon-related exercise associated collapse: Case report and some considerations for medical care at endurance mass participation events

This article presents a unique exercise-associated collapse case during a marathon, highlighting the significance of evidence-based management for athletes on field. The patient, a 61-year-old experienced runner, collapsed near the finish line of the Milano City Marathon. He was aided immediately with CPR and AED. After excluding, through validated algorithms, common and life-threatening causes of collapse, the patient was transferred to hospital. The patient underwent diagnostic procedures, including CT and MRI scans, and hormonal tests that revealed pituitary hemorrhage and underlying coronary artery disease. Follow-up assessments and personalized care were instrumental in the patient's successful recovery and safe return to exercise.

A century of exercise physiology: concepts that ignited the study of human thermoregulation. Part 3: Heat and cold tolerance during exercise

In this third installment of our four-part historical series, we evaluate contributions that shaped our understanding of heat and cold stress during occupational and athletic pursuits. Our first topic concerns how we tolerate, and sometimes fail to tolerate, exercise-heat stress. By 1900, physical activity with clothing- and climate-induced evaporative impediments led to an extraordinarily high incidence of heat stroke within the military. Fortunately, deep-body temperatures > 40 °C were not always fatal. Thirty years later, water immersion and patient treatments mimicking sweat evaporation were found to be effective, with the adage of cool first, transport later being adopted. We gradually acquired an understanding of thermoeffector function during heat storage, and learned about challenges to other regulatory mechanisms. In our second topic, we explore cold tolerance and intolerance. By the 1930s, hypothermia was known to reduce cutaneous circulation, particularly at the extremities, conserving body heat. Cold-induced vasodilatation hindered heat conservation, but it was protective. Increased metabolic heat production followed, driven by shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis, even during exercise and work. Physical endurance and shivering could both be compromised by hypoglycaemia. Later, treatments for hypothermia and cold injuries were refined, and the thermal after-drop was explained. In our final topic, we critique the numerous indices developed in attempts to numerically rate hot and cold stresses. The criteria for an effective thermal stress index were established by the 1930s. However, few indices satisfied those requirements, either then or now, and the surviving indices, including the unvalidated Wet-Bulb Globe-Thermometer index, do not fully predict thermal strain.

International society of sports nutrition position stand: nutritional concerns of the female athlete

Based on a comprehensive review and critical analysis of the literature regarding the nutritional concerns of female athletes, conducted by experts in the field and selected members of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), the following conclusions represent the official Position of the Society: 1. Female athletes have unique and unpredictable hormone profiles, which influence their physiology and nutritional needs across their lifespan. To understand how perturbations in these hormones affect the individual, we recommend that female athletes of reproductive age should track their hormonal status (natural, hormone driven) against training and recovery to determine their individual patterns and needs and peri and post-menopausal athletes should track against training and recovery metrics to determine the individuals' unique patterns. 2. The primary nutritional consideration for all athletes, and in particular, female athletes, should be achieving adequate energy intake to meet their energy requirements and to achieve an optimal energy availability (EA); with a focus on the timing of meals in relation to exercise to improve training adaptations, performance, and athlete health. 3. Significant sex differences and sex hormone influences on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism are apparent, therefore we recommend first ensuring athletes meet their carbohydrate needs across all phases of the menstrual cycle. Secondly, tailoring carbohydrate intake to hormonal status with an emphasis on greater carbohydrate intake and availability during the active pill weeks of oral contraceptive users and during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle where there is a greater effect of sex hormone suppression on gluconogenesis output during exercise. 4. Based upon the limited research available, we recommend that pre-menopausal, eumenorrheic, and oral contraceptives using female athletes should aim to consume a source of high-quality protein as close to beginning and/or after completion of exercise as possible to reduce exercise-induced amino acid oxidative losses and initiate muscle protein remodeling and repair at a dose of 0.32-0.38 g·kg-1. For eumenorrheic women, ingestion during the luteal phase should aim for the upper end of the range due to the catabolic actions of progesterone and greater need for amino acids. 5. Close to the beginning and/or after completion of exercise, peri- and post-menopausal athletes should aim for a bolus of high EAA-containing (~10 g) intact protein sources or supplements to overcome anabolic resistance. 6. Daily protein intake should fall within the mid- to upper ranges of current sport nutrition guidelines (1.4-2.2 g·kg-1·day-1) for women at all stages of menstrual function (pre-, peri-, post-menopausal, and contraceptive users) with protein doses evenly distributed, every 3-4 h, across the day. Eumenorrheic athletes in the luteal phase and peri/post-menopausal athletes, regardless of sport, should aim for the upper end of the range. 7. Female sex hormones affect fluid dynamics and electrolyte handling. A greater predisposition to hyponatremia occurs in times of elevated progesterone, and in menopausal women, who are slower to excrete water. Additionally, females have less absolute and relative fluid available to lose via sweating than males, making the physiological consequences of fluid loss more severe, particularly in the luteal phase. 8. Evidence for sex-specific supplementation is lacking due to the paucity of female-specific research and any differential effects in females. Caffeine, iron, and creatine have the most evidence for use in females. Both iron and creatine are highly efficacious for female athletes. Creatine supplementation of 3 to 5 g per day is recommended for the mechanistic support of creatine supplementation with regard to muscle protein kinetics, growth factors, satellite cells, myogenic transcription factors, glycogen and calcium regulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Post-menopausal females benefit from bone health, mental health, and skeletal muscle size and function when consuming higher doses of creatine (0.3 g·kg-1·d-1). 9. To foster and promote high-quality research investigations involving female athletes, researchers are first encouraged to stop excluding females unless the primary endpoints are directly influenced by sex-specific mechanisms. In all investigative scenarios, researchers across the globe are encouraged to inquire and report upon more detailed information surrounding the athlete's hormonal status, including menstrual status (days since menses, length of period, duration of cycle, etc.) and/or hormonal contraceptive details and/or menopausal status.

Disorders of Sodium

Sodium imbalances are a common occurrence in the emergency department. Although recognition and diagnosis are relatively straightforward, discovering the cause and management should be approached systematically. The most important history items to ascertain is if the patient has symptoms and how long this imbalance has taken to develop. Treatment rapidity depends on severity of symptoms with the most rapid treatment occurring in only the severely symptomatic. Overcorrection has dire consequences and must be approached in a careful and systematic fashion in order to prevent these devastating consequences.

Clinical presentation of exercise-associated hyponatremia in male and female IRONMAN® triathletes over three decades

PURPOSE

Exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) is common in ultra-endurance events and severe cases are more common in females. The purpose of this paper is to compare the clinical presentation of EAH between male and female triathletes in ultra-endurance competitions.

METHODS

Medical records with sodium concentrations (n = 3138) from the IRONMAN® World Championships over the timeframe of 1989-2019 were reviewed for both male (n = 2253) and female (n = 885) competitors. Logistic regression was used to explore the relationships between sex, sodium concentration, and various clinical presentations.

RESULTS

When comparing male and female triathletes, clinical variables found to have a different relationship with sodium concentration include altered mental status (inversely related in males and not related in females), abdominal pain, muscle cramps, hypotension, and tachycardia (directly related in males and not related in females), and vomiting and hypokalemia (not related in males and inversely related in females). Overall, males lost significantly more weight than females, and notably, approximately half of all athletes were dehydrated and lost weight.

CONCLUSIONS

Altered mental status, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle cramps, hypotension, tachycardia, and hyperkalemia appear to present differently between sexes when comparing hyponatremic to eunatremic athletes. Although overhydration is the most common etiology of hypervolemic hyponatremia, hypovolemic hyponatremia comprises a significant amount of hyponatremic triathletes. Further understanding of how EAH presents helps athletes and medical professionals identify it early and prevent life-threatening complications.

A Conspectus of Euvolemic Hyponatremia, Its Various Etiologies, and Treatment Modalities: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Hyponatremia is the most prevalent electrolyte imbalance encountered among hospitalized patients, athletes, the elderly, patients with chronic ailments, postoperative patients, and a few asymptomatic individuals. Clinical manifestations of hyponatremia can be diverse, with characteristic neurological symptoms. Depending on in-depth medical history, physical examination (including volume status assessment), laboratory investigation, and drug history, patients can be classified broadly as undergoing hypervolemic, euvolemic, or hypovolemic hyponatremia. However, patients with hypervolemic hyponatremia often present with distinctive signs such as edema or ascites, and the clinical presentation of hypovolemic and euvolemic hyponatremia poses significant challenges for clinicians. The convolution in clinical manifestations of patients is due to the varied etiologies of euvolemic hyponatremia, such as syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), adrenocortical insufficiency, hypothyroidism, psychogenic polydipsia, different classes of drugs (chemotherapeutics, antipsychotics, antidepressants), endurance exercise events, and reset osmostat syndrome (ROS). The management of hyponatremia depends on the rate of hyponatremia onset, duration, severity of symptoms, levels of serum sodium, and underlying comorbidities. Over the last decade, the clinical understanding of hyponatremia has been scattered due to the introduction of innovative laboratory markers and new drugs. This article will be a conspectus of all the recent advancements in the field of diagnosis, investigations, management, and associations of hyponatremia, along with traditional clinical practices. Subsequently, a holistic overview has been laid out for the clinicians to better understand and identify knowledge deficiencies on this topic.

Skin-Interfaced Wearable Sweat Sensors for Precision Medicine

Wearable sensors hold great potential in empowering personalized health monitoring, predictive analytics, and timely intervention toward personalized healthcare. Advances in flexible electronics, materials science, and electrochemistry have spurred the development of wearable sweat sensors that enable the continuous and noninvasive screening of analytes indicative of health status. Existing major challenges in wearable sensors include: improving the sweat extraction and sweat sensing capabilities, improving the form factor of the wearable device for minimal discomfort and reliable measurements when worn, and understanding the clinical value of sweat analytes toward biomarker discovery. This review provides a comprehensive review of wearable sweat sensors and outlines state-of-the-art technologies and research that strive to bridge these gaps. The physiology of sweat, materials, biosensing mechanisms and advances, and approaches for sweat induction and sampling are introduced. Additionally, design considerations for the system-level development of wearable sweat sensing devices, spanning from strategies for prolonged sweat extraction to efficient powering of wearables, are discussed. Furthermore, the applications, data analytics, commercialization efforts, challenges, and prospects of wearable sweat sensors for precision medicine are discussed.

Ultra-Endurance Participation and Acute Kidney Injury: A Narrative Review

Increasingly popular, ultra-endurance participation exposes athletes to extremely high levels of functional and structural damage. Ultra-endurance athletes commonly develop acute kidney injury (AKI) and other pathologies harmful to kidney health. There is strong evidence that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, common amongst ultra-athletes, is linked to increased risk and severity of AKI and potentially ischaemic renal injury, i.e., acute tubular necrosis. Ultra-endurance participation also increases the risk of exertional rhabdomyolysis, exercise-associated hyponatremia, and gastrointestinal symptoms, interlinked pathologies all with potential to increase the risk of AKI. Hydration and fuelling both also play a role with the development of multiple pathologies and ultimately AKI, highlighting the need for individualised nutritional and hydration plans to promote athlete health. Faster athletes, supplementing nitrates, and being female also increase the risk of developing AKI in this setting. Serum creatinine criteria do not provide the best indicator for AKI for ultra-athletes therefore further investigations are needed to assess the practicality and accuracy of new renal biomarkers such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). The potential of recurring episodes of AKI provide need for further research to assess the longitudinal renal health impact of ultra-participation to provide appropriate advice to athletes, coaches, medical staff, and event organisers.

Physiological Benefits and Performance of Sea Water Ingestion for Athletes in Endurance Events: A Systematic Review

In different endurance events, athletes have limited access to fluid intake, such as ultra-endurance running. For this reason, it is necessary to establish an adequate hydration strategy for this type of long-duration sporting event. Indeed, it seems that the intake of seawater is a suitable hydration alternative to improve post-exercise recovery in this type of endurance event. This seawater is characterized by being a deep natural mineral water of moderate mineralization, which is usually extracted from a depth of about 700 m. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy of seawater consumption in both performance and post-exercise recovery in long-duration sport events. A systematic and comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science in September 2022. Initially, 8 out of 558 articles met the inclusion criteria. Among these eight studies, six were randomized clinical trials, and two were observational studies (one cross-sectional and one prospective study in well-conditioned student athletes). The results showed that deep sea water consumption accelerated the recovery of aerobic capacity and leg muscle capacity on running performance. In addition, the lactate production after the running exercise in seawater was significantly lower than in pure water. In conclusion, the present review demonstrates that seawater consumption could significantly improve the capacity of recovery after exercise.

Sudden death in young athletes: Is it preventable?

Sudden death in young athletes is a rare but always dramatic condition. Unlike all other rare diseases, the estimate of its real incidence is made complex not only because of the uncertain number of correctly identified cases (numerator) but also because of the uncertain estimation of the real number of the reference population, the athletes (denominator). New elements of complexity are also emerging with regard to prevention. The current two pillars of prevention are pre-participation screening (proactive strategy) and promoting use / access to the automated external defibrillator (reactive strategy). The standardization of procedures implemented over the past two decades for pre-participation screening can now allow us to assess the impact of this approach. The result is complex to evaluate. While screening may allow the identification of conditions potentially associated with SDA, and therefore the adoption of specific treatments, in about 0.4% of screened subjects, a single study investigated the yield in terms of mortality showing a positive predictive value of 4.7% with 25% sensitivity. Conversely, the reactive strategy appears considerably effective, due to the widespread use of the automated external defibrillators in sports facilities, calling for a homogeneous implementation worldwide. On a broader perspective, the vast attention devoted to SDA prevention in the world of sports represents a major driver for transfer of a reactive prevention strategy to the general population.

Marathon Runners' Knowledge and Strategies for Hydration

OBJECTIVE

To study hydration plans and understanding of exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) among current marathon runners.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Southern California 2018 summer marathon.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred ten marathon runners.

INTERVENTIONS

Survey administered 1 to 2 days before the race. Race times were obtained from public race website.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Planned frequency of hydration; awareness of, understanding of, and preventative strategies for dehydration and EAH; resources used to create hydration plans; drink preferences.

RESULTS

When the participants were split into 3 equal groups by racing speed, the slower tertile intended to drink at every mile/station (60%), whereas the faster tertile preferred to drink every other mile or less often (60%), although not statistically significant. Most runners (84%) claimed awareness of EAH, but only 32% could list a symptom of the condition. Both experienced marathoners and the faster tertile significantly had greater understanding of hyponatremia compared with first-time marathoners and the slower tertile, respectively. Less than 5% of marathoners offered "drink to thirst" as a prevention strategy for dehydration or EAH.

CONCLUSION

Slower runners plan to drink larger volumes compared with their faster counterparts. Both slower and first-time marathoners significantly lacked understanding of EAH. These groups have plans and knowledge that may put them at higher risk for developing EAH. Most marathon runners did not know of the guidelines to "drink to thirst," suggesting the 2015 EAH Consensus statement may not have had the desired impact.

Seawater Hydration Modulates IL-6 and Apelin Production during Triathlon Events: A Crossover Randomized Study

A triathlon is an endurance event in which athletes need an efficient hydration strategy since hydration is restricted at different stages. However, it seems that seawater intake can be a suitable hydration alternative for this type of endurance event. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of seawater hydration during a triathlon on cytokine production. Fifteen trained male triathletes (age = 38.8 ± 5.62 years old; BMI = 22.58 ± 2.51 kg/m²) randomly performed three triathlons, one of them consuming seawater (Totum SPORT, Laboratories Quinton International, S.L., Valencia, Spain), the other one consuming tap water ad libitum, and the last a physiologic saline solution as placebo. The triathlon consisted of an 800 m swim, a 90 km bike ride, and a 10 km run. Blood samples were taken at rest and after training, where markers of inflammation, hemoglobin, and hematocrit concentration were assessed. While the seawater was not ergogenic, it significantly increased the release of IL-6 and apelin post-exercise. However, no differences were found between the fractalkine, IL-15, EPO, osteonectin, myostatin, oncostatin, irisin, FSTL1, osteocrin, BDNF, and FGF-21 values over those of the placebo group. The present study demonstrates that hydration with seawater stimulates myokine production, which could lead to improved performance recovery after exercise.

Could Repeated Cardio-Renal Injury Trigger Late Cardiovascular Sequelae in Extreme Endurance Athletes?

Regular exercise confers multifaceted and well-established health benefits. Yet, transient and asymptomatic increases in markers of cardio-renal injury are commonly observed in ultra-endurance athletes during and after competition. This has raised concerns that chronic recurring insults could cause long-term cardiac and/or renal damage. Indeed, extreme endurance exercise (EEE) over decades has sometimes been linked with untoward cardiac effects, but a causal relation with acute injury markers has not yet been established. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on markers of cardiac and/or renal injury in EEE athletes, outline the possible interplay between cardiac and kidney damage, and explore the roles of various factors in the development of potential exercise-related cardiac damage, including underlying diseases, medication, sex, training, competition, regeneration, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In conclusion, despite the undisputed health benefits of regular exercise, we speculate, based on the intimate link between heart and kidney diseases, that in rare cases excessive endurance sport may induce adverse cardio-renal interactions that under specific, hitherto undefined conditions could result in persistent cardiac damage. We highlight future research priorities and provide decision support for athletes and clinical consultants who are seeking safe strategies for participation in EEE training and competition.

Approach to the Patient: Hyponatremia and the Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis (SIAD)

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disturbance seen in clinical practice, affecting up to 30% of acute hospital admissions, and is associated with significant adverse clinical outcomes. Acute or severe symptomatic hyponatremia carries a high risk of neurological morbidity and mortality. In contrast, chronic hyponatremia is associated with significant morbidity including increased risk of falls, osteoporosis, fractures, gait instability, and cognitive decline; prolonged hospital admissions; and etiology-specific increase in mortality. In this Approach to the Patient, we review and compare the current recommendations, guidelines, and literature for diagnosis and treatment options for both acute and chronic hyponatremia, illustrated by 2 case studies. Particular focus is concentrated on the diagnosis and management of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis. An understanding of the pathophysiology of hyponatremia, along with a synthesis of the duration of hyponatremia, biochemical severity, symptomatology, and blood volume status, forms the structure to guide the appropriate and timely management of hyponatremia. We present 2 illustrative cases that represent common presentations with hyponatremia and discuss the approach to management of these and other causes of hyponatremia.

Hydration Strategies for Physical Activity and Endurance Events at High (>2500 m) Altitude: A Practical Management Article

A growing number of adventurous athletes are seeking new challenges through endurance events or physical activities held at high altitude (>2500 m). This coincides with a significant increase in the numbers of trekkers who ascend into the world's mountains. Altitude itself influences and complicates the athlete's effective and safe hydration. This article considers the physiology of adaptation to altitude and the effects on hydration at altitude compared with sea level, reviews the "ad libitum versus programmed hydration" controversy in conventional endurance event hydration, examines the evidence for extrapolation of sea level hydration strategies to the high-altitude environment, and synthesizes these disparate factors into a set of practical recommendations for hydration management during high-altitude physical activity. The guidelines will be relevant to participants of physical activity at altitude and health care staff who may care for them in the preparation or performance phases of their adventure.

Relationship Between Pre- and Post-exercise Body Mass Changes and Pre-exercise Urine Color in Female Athletes

Although studies use body mass changes or urine color to measure hydration status, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between pre-practice urine color and exercise body mass changes in female tackle football players. Twenty-six female American football players (Age: 29.9 ± 7.3 years; Height: 165.2 ± 2.6 cm; Weight: 83.8 ± 24.4 kg) volunteered. Fluid consumptions (FC) was measured during tackle football practices, while urine color (Ucol), and percent body mass loss (%BML) were taken before and after practices. Subjects were grouped by %BML: lost mass (LM), gained mass (GM), or no change (NC). A one-way ANOVA compared groups on Ucol and FC. There were differences across groups for pre-practice Ucol (P < 0.01) and FC (P < 0.01). GM had a higher pre-practice Ucol than LM (P < 0.01) and NC (P < 0.05) and consumed more fluid than LM (P < 0.01) and NC (P < 0.05). A stepwise linear regression examined the extent that Ucol and FC were related to %BML. When predicting BML, FC accounted for 45% of variance (P < 0.01). The addition of pre-practice Ucol increased predicted variance explained (R2 change= 2.5%, P = 0032). Subjects who gained mass during practice arrived with elevated urine color (Ucol 5 ± 2), while those who lost mass arrived with pale urine color (Ucol 3 ± 2). Findings indicate those who arrived with an elevated urine color attempted to improve hydration status by consuming more fluid and gaining body mass during exercise.

Effects of Sodium Intake on Health and Performance in Endurance and Ultra-Endurance Sports

The majority of reviews on sports nutrition issues focus on macronutrients, often omitting or paying less attention to substances such as sodium. Through the literature, it is clear that there are no reviews that focus entirely on the effects of sodium and in particular on endurance sports. Sodium intake, both at high and low doses, has been found to be associated with health and performance issues in athletes. Besides, there have been theories that an electrolyte imbalance, specifically sodium, contributes to the development of muscle cramps (EAMC) and hyponatremia (EAH). For this reason, it is necessary to create this systematic review, in order to report extensively on the role of sodium consumption in the population and more specifically in endurance and ultra-endurance athletes, the relationship between the amount consumed and the occurrence of pathological disorders, the usefulness of simultaneous hydration and whether a disturbance of this substance leads to EAH and EAMC. As a method of data collection, this study focused on exploring literature from 2000–2021. The search was conducted through the research engines PubMed and Scopus. In order to reduce the health and performance effects in endurance athletes, simultaneous emphasis should be placed on both sodium and fluid intake.

A review of risk factors and prevention strategies for exercise associated hyponatremia

Exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) is defined as a serum sodium concentration under 135 mmol·L-1 during or within 24 h of exercise. Increasing interest in endurance events has led to a higher number of athletes presenting with this potentially life-threatening condition. EAH is largely caused by the overconsumption of hypotonic fluids leading to weight gain during exercise. The primary risk factors include the inappropriate secretion of arginine vasopressin, longer exercise duration, smaller body mass, and to smaller extent ingestion of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Accurate tracking of fluid intake and losses to prevent weight gain during exercise, sodium supplementation, and heat acclimatization may help attenuate declines in serum sodium concentration during exercise.

Effect of Sodium Supplements and Climate on Dysnatremia During Ultramarathon Running

OBJECTIVE

Analyze the effect of sodium supplementation, hydration, and climate on dysnatremia in ultramarathon runners.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

The 2017 80 km (50 mile) stage of the 250 km (150 mile) 6-stage RacingThePlanet ultramarathon in 2017 Chilean, Patagonian, and 2018 Namibian, Mongolian, and Chilean deserts.

PARTICIPANTS

All race entrants who could understand English were invited to participate, with 266 runners enrolled, mean age of 43 years (± 9), 61 (36%) females, average weight 74 kg (± 12.5), and average race time 14.5 (± 4.1) hours. Post-race sodium collected on 174 (74%) and 164 (62%) participants with both the blood sample and post-race questionnaire.

INTERVENTION

Weight change and finish line serum sodium levels were gathered.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH; <135 mmol·L-1) and hypernatremia (>145 mmol·L-1) by sodium ingestion and climate.

RESULTS

Eleven (6.3%) runners developed EAH, and 30 (17.2%) developed hypernatremia. Those with EAH were 14 kg heavier at baseline, had significantly less training distances, and averaged 5 to 6 hours longer to cover 50 miles (80 km) than the other participants. Neither rate nor total ingested supplemental sodium was correlated with dysnatremia, without significant differences in drinking behaviors or type of supplement compared with normonatremic runners. Hypernatremic runners were more often dehydrated [8 (28%), -4.7 kg (± 9.8)] than EAH [4 (14%), -1.1 kg (± 3.8)] (P < 0.01), and EAH runners were more frequently overhydrated (6, 67%) than hypernatremia (1, 11%) (P < 0.01). In the 98 (56%) runners from hot races, there was EAH OR = 3.5 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.9-25.9] and hypernatremia OR = 8.8 (95% CI, 2.9-39.5) compared with cold races.

CONCLUSIONS

This was the first study to show that hot race climates are an independent risk factor for EAH and hypernatremia. Sodium supplementation did not prevent EAH nor cause hypernatremia. Longer training distances, lower body mass, and avoidance of overhydration were shown to be the most important factors to prevent EAH and avoidance of dehydration to prevent hypernatremia.

A Scoping Review of Non-Medical and Extra-Medical Use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly used medications worldwide and have analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties. Although NSAIDs are recognised as generally safe and effective, non-medical and extra-medical use of these products can occur. Unlike the use of illegal and many prescription drugs, which are subject to extensive research attention, inappropriate use of NSAIDs has been less well investigated. This scoping review collates and describes what is known regarding non-medical and extra-medical use of NSAIDs. In total, 72 studies were included in this scoping review. Three themes emerged from the review: (1) indicative profile of people who engage in non-medical or extra-medical use of NSAIDs; (2) antecedents for non-medical or extra-medical use; and (3) adverse health effects of non-medical and extra-medical use of NSAIDs. The review concluded that there is a need for enhanced patient education, including among sports people; pharmacovigilance in terms of clinician recognition of aberrance; and prescriber and pharmacist awareness of the potential for extra-medical and non-medical use and the related health harms.

A Case-Series Observation of Sweat Rate Variability in Endurance-Trained Athletes

Adequate fluid replacement during exercise is an important consideration for athletes, however sweat rate (SR) can vary day-to-day. The purpose of this study was to investigate day-to-day variations in SR while performing self-selected exercise sessions to evaluate error in SR estimations in similar temperature conditions. Thirteen endurance-trained athletes completed training sessions in a case-series design 1x/week for a minimum 30 min of running/biking over 24 weeks. Body mass was recorded pre/post-training and corrected for fluid consumption. Data were split into three Wet-Bulb Globe Thermometer (WBGT) conditions: LOW (<10 °C), MOD (10–19.9 °C), HIGH (>20 °C). No significant differences existed in exercise duration, distance, pace, or WBGT for any group (p > 0.07). Significant differences in SR variability occurred for all groups, with average differences of: LOW = 0.15 L/h; MOD = 0.14 L/h; HIGH = 0.16 L/h (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in mean SR between LOW-MOD (p > 0.9), but significant differences between LOW-HIGH and MOD-HIGH (p < 0.03). The assessment of SR can provide useful data for determining hydration strategies. The significant differences in SR within each temperature range indicates a single assessment may not accurately represent an individual’s typical SR even in similar environmental conditions.

Recommendations on the Appropriate Level of Medical Support at Ultramarathons

Participation in ultramarathons continues to grow, especially among older individuals and among younger runners who may have less running and wilderness experience than many past participants. While ultramarathons tend to have relatively few serious medical issues, adverse medical incidents do occur. These factors make it increasingly important that appropriate safety precautions and medical support are defined and implemented at these events to enhance the safety of participants, spectators, and volunteers. This document establishes the minimum recommended level of medical support that should be available at ultramarathons based on current knowledge and the experience of the authors. It offers a balance that is intended to avoid excessive stress on the local medical system while also precluding undue burden on events to provide medical support beyond that which is practical. We propose a three-level classification system to define the extent of medical services, personnel, systems, supplies, and equipment in place and recommend the level of medical support based on event size, distance/duration, remoteness, and environmental conditions that may be encountered during the event. This document also outlines the recommended education and training of medical providers and discusses other medical and logistical considerations related to the provision of medical support at ultramarathons. We suggest that ultramarathon organizers review and adopt these recommendations to enhance safety and reduce the risk of adverse events to participants.

Rehydration during Endurance Exercise: Challenges, Research, Options, Methods

During endurance exercise, two problems arise from disturbed fluid-electrolyte balance: dehydration and overhydration. The former involves water and sodium losses in sweat and urine that are incompletely replaced, whereas the latter involves excessive consumption and retention of dilute fluids. When experienced at low levels, both dehydration and overhydration have minor or no performance effects and symptoms of illness, but when experienced at moderate-to-severe levels they degrade exercise performance and/or may lead to hydration-related illnesses including hyponatremia (low serum sodium concentration). Therefore, the present review article presents (a) relevant research observations and consensus statements of professional organizations, (b) 5 rehydration methods in which pre-race planning ranges from no advanced action to determination of sweat rate during a field simulation, and (c) 9 rehydration recommendations that are relevant to endurance activities. With this information, each athlete can select the rehydration method that best allows her/him to achieve a hydration middle ground between dehydration and overhydration, to optimize physical performance, and reduce the risk of illness.

Prospective Observational Study of Weight-based Assessment of Sodium Supplements on Ultramarathon Performance (WASSUP)

BACKGROUND

Sodium supplements are ubiquitous in endurance running, but their impact on performance has been subjected to much debate. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of sodium supplementation as a weight-based predictor of race performance in ultramarathon runners.

METHODS

Prospective observational study during an 80 km (50 mi) stage of a 6-stage 250 km (155 mi) ultramarathon in Chile, Patagonia, Namibia, and Mongolia. Finish line hydration status as measured by weight change, point-of-care serum sodium, and questionnaire provided sodium ingestion categories at 33rd percentile and 66th percentile both for weight-adjusted rate and total sodium consumption, then analyzed for significant relationships to race performance, dysnatremia, and hydration.

RESULTS

Two hundred sixty-six participants were enrolled, with 217 (82%) with complete sodium supplement rate data, 174 (80%) with finish line sodium, and 161 (74%) with both pre-race weights and total sodium ingestion allowing weight-based analysis. Sodium intake ranged from 131-533 mg/h/kg (2-7.2 gm), with no statistically significant impact on pace, race time, or quintile rank. These outcomes did not change when sodium intake was analyzed as a continuous variable or by sub-group analysis of the 109 (68%) normonatremic runners. When controlled for weight-adjusted sodium intake, performance was poorly correlated with hydration (r = - 0.152, 95% CI - 0.348-0.057). Dehydrated runners outperformed those overhydrated, with 11% of top 25th percentile finishers dehydrated (versus 2.8% overhydrated), with 3.6 min/km faster pace and time 4.6 h faster finishing time.

CONCLUSIONS

No association was found between sodium supplement intake and ultramarathon performance. Dehydrated runners were found to have the best performance. This reinforces the message to avoid overhydration.

Evidence that variations in pre-training hydration status are related to the frequency of endurance training in elite adolescent sprinters

BACKGROUND

Although the effect of dehydration on performance is widely studied, limited data concerning the levels of risk training types pose to hydration status exists. This study sought to determine: (a) pre-training hydration status in adolescent sprinters relative to non-athletes, (b) changes in hydration markers across a season of adolescent sprinters relative to non-athletes, and (c) if frequency of training type explains unique variance in hydration.

METHODS

Hydration [via pre-training urine osmolality (UOsm) and thirst perception (TP)], daily water intake (TWI) [via 24-h food/fluid diaries] and frequencies of resistance, endurance and sprint training types (via training regime questionnaires) were assessed in 26 sprinters (age: 15.6±1.9 years) and 26 non-athletes (age: 16.0±1.6 years), during 4 mesocycles [general (T1) and specific (T2) preparation; pre-competitive (T3) and peaking (T4) phases], over 26 weeks.

RESULTS

Most athletes (62%-81%) and non-athletes (73%-92%) were underhydrated (UOsm>700 mOsmol/kg) pre-training across the season, despite a low TP. There were significant time (p =.042) and group (p =.006) effects, and a main group by time interaction for UOsm (p =.006) but not TP across the season, after controlling for TWI. Greater UOsm (in mOsmol/kg) were observed during T1 (906.3±250.1) and T2 (934.5±257.0) compared to T3 (852.1±268.8) and T4 (854.2±218.8). There was no significant change across the season for non-athletes. Frequencies of endurance training were positively associated with UOsm and explained unique variances across the season (R2 range from 7%-16%).

CONCLUSIONS

Underhydration is high in the adolescent population. Training type may be related to the variations in hydration throughout a season, which may help to inform hydration practices of sprint athletes.

Practices of Athletic Trainers Using Weight Charts to Determine Hydration Status and Fluid-Intervention Strategies

CONTEXT

Determining an athlete's hydration status allows hydration-related concerns to be identified before significant medical or performance concerns arise. Weight charts are an accurate measure of hydration status changes, yet their clinical use by athletic trainers (ATs) is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate ATs' use of weight charts in athletic settings and describe their subsequent clinical decisions.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

High schools and National Collegiate Athletic Association Divisions I, II, III and National Association Intercollegiate Athletics colleges.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

A total of 354 ATs (men = 162, women = 175; 17 respondents did not answer the demographic questions) responded across athletic settings (Division I [45.7%]; Division II, Division III, National Association Intercollegiate Athletics combined [n = 19.9%]; and high school [34.4%]).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The 26-question online survey was developed by content experts and pilot tested before data collection. Participants answered questions focused on weight-chart use (implementation, timing, and calculations) and clinical decision processes (policies, interventions, and referral). Frequency statistics were calculated.

RESULTS

The majority of ATs (57.2%) did not use weight charts. Of those who did, most (76.0%) used charts with football, soccer (28%), and wrestling (6%) athletes. They calculated changes as either an absolute (42.2%) or percentage (36.7%) change from prepractice to postpractice; only 11.7% used a baseline weight for calculations. Of those who used the percentage change in body mass, 66.0% selected a threshold of -3% to -4% for an intervention. Most ATs (97.0%) intervened with verbal education, whereas only one-third (37.0%) provided specific fluid amounts based on body mass changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Typically, ATs in athletic settings did not use weight charts. They considered a body mass change of -3% the indication for intervention but did not specify rehydration amounts for hypohydrated athletes. Educational workshops or technology applications could be developed to encourage ATs to use weight charts and calculate appropriate individual fluid interventions for their athletes.

Life threatening water intoxication

Water intoxication is a fatal disorder associated with disturbance in brain function, known as hypo-osmolar syndrome which resulting from an excessive water intake, with dilutional hypernatremia leads to a potentially fatal outcome. A change in the electrolyte equilibrium such as this sudden drop in serum sodium level and then subsequent mortality. With hyponatremia, the plasma osmolality decreased leading to water movement into the brain according to the osmotic gradient, resulting in hyponatremic encephalopathy and cerebral oedema. Increased water intake such as in Psychogenic polydipsia is followed by urination of high amount of diluted urine (polyuria) which are the main initial symptoms of water intoxication with headache, blurred vision, nausea, tremor, and deterioration in psychosis. Other serious symptoms involve muscle spasms, Early detection of seizures and coma are more serious outcomes, Untreated cases may lead to death, Risk factor for water intoxication are Marathon runners, military population and athletes and due to this endurance events, these behaviors encouraging heavy sweating that result in heat exhaustion and consume large volumes of fluid, then hyponatremia developed as a result of excessive fluid substitution. Child abuse is other pediatric clinical cases reported with water intoxication. Psychogenic polydipsia which is psychiatric disorder with obsessive water drinking leading to a serious self-induced water intoxication (SIWI), water is normally metabolized and excreted by different means and it is mainly by kidneys in urine, evaporation through the skin, by respiratory system through the respired water vapor and little quantity of water was lost from the gastrointestinal tract (GI).The LD50 of water is > 90 ml/kg orally in rats. The current review illustrates the Life threatening effects of water when it is aggressively consumed.

Approach to Electrolyte Abnormalities, Prerenal Azotemia, and Fluid Balance

Volume and electrolyte evaluation and management is seen frequently in primary care practices. Some of the most common abnormalities encountered in outpatient practices are prerenal azotemia, dysnatremias, and altered potassium levels. Perturbations in volume or electrolyte concentrations can lead to serious organ dysfunction as well as hemodynamic collapse. This review focuses on the maintenance and regulation of intravascular volume and electrolytes, specifically sodium and potassium.

Personalized hydratation status in endurance and ultra-endurance: A review

This review aims to investigate the physiological mechanisms that underlie the hydro-electrolyte balance of the human body and the most appropriate hydration modalities for individuals involved in physical and sports activities, with a focus on ultra-endurance events. The role of effective hydration in achieving optimal sports performance is also investigated. An adequate pre-hydration is essential to perform physical and sporting activity in a condition of eu-hydration and to mantain physiologic levels of plasma electrolyte. To achieve these goals, athletes need to consume adequate drinks together with consuming meals and fluids, in order to provide an adequate absorption of the ingested fluids and the expulsion of those in excess through diuresis. Therefore, there are important differences between individuals in terms of sweating rates, the amount of electrolytes loss and the specific request of the discipline practiced and the sporting event to pursue.

Nutrition-Related Adverse Outcomes in Endurance Sports Competitions: A Review of Incidence and Practical Recommendations

During the last few years, the numbers of competitors in endurance and ultra-endurance sports modalities have increased significantly. This type of competition is an extreme challenge for athletes. Therefore, they have an increased the risk of developing medical and nutritional problems. The aim of the work is to estimate the incidence of nutrition-related adverse outcomes in endurance and ultra-endurance sports, considering the variables that influence them. A critical review was carried out based on the PubMed database, by means of a search strategy based on keywords separated by Boolean connectors. For all the results obtained in a period from 2008 to 2019, a series of inclusion/exclusion criteria was applied to select only the studies that fitted the objective of the present study. Results and discussion: Of the 871 publications identified, 33 met the inclusion criteria. The adverse outcomes found included exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH), heat stroke by exertion (EHS), gastrointestinal (GI) problems, dehydration, and hypothermia; the provision of misinformation to athletes about nutrient intake and hydration during competition was identified as the main cause. Conclusions: The main adverse outcomes in endurance and ultra-endurance sports modalities are EAH, GI inconveniences, and EHS. These problems can affect the performance and health status of the athlete during and post-competition. Several nutritional guidelines have been suggested that can prevent these adverse outcomes, and it is essential to individualize and adjust the nutritional intake and hydration status according to the characteristics of each competition.

Brain Ventricular System and Cerebrospinal Fluid Development and Function: Light at the End of the Tube: A Primer with Latest Insights

The brain ventricular system is a series of connected cavities, filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), that forms within the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS). The hollow neural tube is a hallmark of the chordate CNS, and a closed neural tube is essential for normal development. Development and function of the ventricular system is examined, emphasizing three interdigitating components that form a functional system: ventricle walls, CSF fluid properties, and activity of CSF constituent factors. The cellular lining of the ventricle both can produce and is responsive to CSF. Fluid properties and conserved CSF components contribute to normal CNS development. Anomalies of the CSF/ventricular system serve as diagnostics and may cause CNS disorders, further highlighting their importance. This review focuses on the evolution and development of the brain ventricular system, associated function, and connected pathologies. It is geared as an introduction for scholars with little background in the field.

Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia: 2019 Update

Exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) is defined by a serum or plasma sodium concentration below the normal reference range of 135 mmol·L-1 that occurs during or up to 24 h after prolonged physical activity. It is reported to occur in individual physical activities or during organized endurance events conducted in environments in which medical care is limited and often not available, and patient evacuation to definitive care is often greatly delayed. Rapid recognition and appropriate treatment are essential in the severe form to increase the likelihood of a positive outcome. To mitigate the risk of EAH mismanagement, care providers in the prehospital and in hospital settings must differentiate from other causes that present with similar signs and symptoms. EAH most commonly has overlapping signs and symptoms with heat exhaustion and exertional heat stroke. Failure in this regard is a recognized cause of worsened morbidity and mortality. In an effort to produce best practice guidelines for EAH management, the Wilderness Medical Society convened an expert panel in May 2018. The panel was charged with updating the WMS Practice Guidelines for Treatment of Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia published in 2014 using evidence-based guidelines for the prevention, recognition, and treatment of EAH. Recommendations are made based on presenting with symptomatic EAH, particularly when point-of-care blood sodium testing is unavailable in the field. These recommendations are graded on the basis of the quality of supporting evidence and balanced between the benefits and risks/burdens for each parameter according to the methodology stipulated by the American College of Chest Physicians.

Oral Hypertonic Saline Is Effective in Reversing Acute Mild-to-Moderate Symptomatic Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether oral administration of 3% hypertonic saline (HTS) is as efficacious as intravenous (IV) 3% saline in reversing symptoms of mild-to-moderate symptomatic exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) in athletes during and after a long-distance triathlon.

DESIGN

Noninferiority, open-label, parallel-group, randomized control trial to IV or oral HTS. We used permuted block randomization with sealed envelopes, containing the word either "oral" or "IV."

SETTING

Annual long-distance triathlon (3.8-km swim, 180-km bike, and 42-km run) at Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty race finishers with mild to moderately symptomatic EAH.

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES

Age, sex, race finish time, and 9 clinical symptoms.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Time from treatment to discharge.

METHODS

We successfully randomized 20 participants to receive either an oral (n = 11) or IV (n = 9) bolus of HTS. We performed venipuncture to measure serum sodium (Na) at presentation to the medical clinic and at time of symptom resolution after the intervention.

RESULTS

The average time from treatment to discharge was 75.8 minutes (SD 29.7) for the IV treatment group and 50.3 minutes (SD 26.8) for the oral treatment group (t test, P = 0.02). Serum Na before and after treatment was not significantly different in both groups. There was no difference on presentation between groups in age, sex, or race finish time, both groups presented with an average of 6 symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral HTS is effective in reversing symptoms of mild-to-moderate hyponatremia in EAH.

Life-threatening heat-related illness with severe hyponatremia in an aluminum smelter worker

Heat stress is a recognized occupational hazard in aluminum smelter pot rooms. This is the report of an unusual and complex case of heat‐related illness in an aluminum smelter worker. The 34‐year‐old male US worker developed life‐threatening heat‐related illness in August 2018, on his first day back at work after a 7‐day absence. The worker initially presented with bilateral hand then all‐extremity cramping followed some hours later by a generalized seizure and acute mental status changes, including combativeness. Emergency room evaluation identified a serum sodium level of 114 mmol/L. Acute liver and kidney injury ensued along with profound rhabdomyolysis, with peak total creatinine phosphokinase level reaching over 125 000 units/L at 3 days post incident. Initial ventilatory support, careful fluid resuscitation, and electrolyte management were provided. Metabolic encephalopathy resolved. Complications included sepsis. After 5 days in the intensive care unit and eight additional days of inpatient management, observation, and the initiation of rehabilitation, the worker was discharged. Residual effects include polyneuropathy of upper and lower extremities and the postdischarge magnetic resonance imaging finding of a cerebellar lesion. Prevailing considerations in the differential diagnosis included exertional heat stroke and/or exertion‐associated hyponatremia with encephalopathy.

Muscle Cramping During Exercise: Causes, Solutions, and Questions Remaining

Muscle cramp is a temporary but intense and painful involuntary contraction of skeletal muscle that can occur in many different situations. The causes of, and cures for, the cramps that occur during or soon after exercise remain uncertain, although there is evidence that some cases may be associated with disturbances of water and salt balance, while others appear to involve sustained abnormal spinal reflex activity secondary to fatigue of the affected muscles. Evidence in favour of a role for dyshydration comes largely from medical records obtained in large industrial settings, although it is supported by one large-scale intervention trial and by field trials involving small numbers of athletes. Cramp is notoriously unpredictable, making laboratory studies difficult, but experimental models involving electrical stimulation or intense voluntary contractions of small muscles held in a shortened position can induce cramp in many, although not all, individuals. These studies show that dehydration has no effect on the stimulation frequency required to initiate cramping and confirm a role for spinal pathways, but their relevance to the spontaneous cramps that occur during exercise is questionable. There is a long history of folk remedies for treatment or prevention of cramps; some may reduce the likelihood of some forms of cramping and reduce its intensity and duration, but none are consistently effective. It seems likely that there are different types of cramp that are initiated by different mechanisms; if this is the case, the search for a single strategy for prevention or treatment is unlikely to succeed.

Hydration Status After an Ironman Triathlon: A Meta-Analysis

The Ironman is one of the most popular triathlon events in the world. Such a race involves a great number of tactical decisions for a healthy finish and best performance. Dehydration is widely postulated to decrease performance and is known as a cause of dropouts in Ironman. Despite the importance of hydration status after an Ironman triathlon, there is a clear lack of review and especially meta-analysis studies on this topic. Therefore, the objective was to systematically review the literature and carry out a meta-analysis investigating the hydration status after an Ironman triathlon. We conducted a systematic review of the literature up to June 2016 that included the following databases: PubMed, SCOPUS, Science Direct and Web of Science. From the initial 995 references, we included 6 studies in the qualitative analysis and in the meta-analysis. All trials had two measures of hydration status after a full Ironman race. Total body water, blood and urine osmolality, urine specific gravity and sodium plasma concentration were considered as hydration markers. Three investigators independently abstracted data on the study design, sample size, participants’ and race characteristics, outcomes, and quantitative data for the meta-analysis. In the pooled analysis, it seems that the Ironman event led to a moderate state of dehydration in comparison to baseline values (SMD 0.494; 95% CI 0.220 to 0.767; p = 0.001). Some evidence of heterogeneity and consistency was also observed: Q = 19.6; I² = 28.5%; τ² = 2.39. The results suggest that after the race athletes seem to be hypo-hydrated in comparison to baseline values.

International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: nutritional considerations for single-stage ultra-marathon training and racing

Background

In this Position Statement, the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) provides an objective and critical review of the literature pertinent to nutritional considerations for training and racing in single-stage ultra-marathon. Recommendations for Training. i) Ultra-marathon runners should aim to meet the caloric demands of training by following an individualized and periodized strategy, comprising a varied, food-first approach; ii) Athletes should plan and implement their nutrition strategy with sufficient time to permit adaptations that enhance fat oxidative capacity; iii) The evidence overwhelmingly supports the inclusion of a moderate-to-high carbohydrate diet (i.e., ~ 60% of energy intake, 5–8 g·kg^− 1·d^− 1) to mitigate the negative effects of chronic, training-induced glycogen depletion; iv) Limiting carbohydrate intake before selected low-intensity sessions, and/or moderating daily carbohydrate intake, may enhance mitochondrial function and fat oxidative capacity. Nevertheless, this approach may compromise performance during high-intensity efforts; v) Protein intakes of ~ 1.6 g·kg^− 1·d^− 1 are necessary to maintain lean mass and support recovery from training, but amounts up to 2.5 g.kg^− 1·d^− 1 may be warranted during demanding training when calorie requirements are greater; Recommendations for Racing. vi) To attenuate caloric deficits, runners should aim to consume 150–400 Kcal·h^− 1 (carbohydrate, 30–50 g·h^− 1; protein, 5–10 g·h^− 1) from a variety of calorie-dense foods. Consideration must be given to food palatability, individual tolerance, and the increased preference for savory foods in longer races; vii) Fluid volumes of 450–750 mL·h^− 1 (~ 150–250 mL every 20 min) are recommended during racing. To minimize the likelihood of hyponatraemia, electrolytes (mainly sodium) may be needed in concentrations greater than that provided by most commercial products (i.e., > 575 mg·L^− 1 sodium). Fluid and electrolyte requirements will be elevated when running in hot and/or humid conditions; viii) Evidence supports progressive gut-training and/or low-FODMAP diets (fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide and polyol) to alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal distress during racing; ix) The evidence in support of ketogenic diets and/or ketone esters to improve ultra-marathon performance is lacking, with further research warranted; x) Evidence supports the strategic use of caffeine to sustain performance in the latter stages of racing, particularly when sleep deprivation may compromise athlete safety.