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THE EFFECTS OF WATER OR AN ELECTROLYTE SPORTS DRINK ON ROWING PERFORMANCE AND REHYDRATION FOLLOWING FLUID RESTRICTION

Abstract

Allie Rae Bates, Peighton Cumbie, Courteney Benjamin, Evelyn Rogers, Rebecca Rogers, Christopher Ballmann, FACSM. Samford University, Birmingham, AL.

Many sports, including rowing, set standard body weight requirements for competition with only a deviation of 0.5 kg being acceptable. To facilitate attainment of weight requirements, many athletes fluid restrict and/or intentionally induce fluid loss in order to meet weigh in criteria. Fluid restriction/loss has been shown to be determinantal to exercise performance, but optimal rehydration strategies following fluid restriction have yet to be identified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of rehydrating with water or electrolyte consumption on rowing maximal performance. Physically active females participated in two counterbalanced repeated rowing time trials each with a different condition: 1) Water (700 mL), or 2) Electrolyte sports drink (700 mL). For each trial, participants completed a 1000m rowing time trial following 12hr of fluid restriction. After the first rowing bout, participants consumed the corresponding condition, rested for 30 minutes, and then completed another 1000m row. Power output, HR, perceived thirst, and urine specific gravity (USG) were measured for each condition. USG was not different between conditions (p= 0.784) establishing similar baseline hydration status. Power output (p=0.046) and thirst (p=0.003) were significantly worse for the first rowing bout with fluid restriction regardless of treatment. Between treatments, no changes in power output (p= 0.573), HR (p= 0.357), or thirst perceptions (p= 0.284) were observed. These data reinforce previous findings of decrements in performance with fluid restriction, but do not suggest superiority of water or electrolyte sports drinks as rehydration strategies.

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