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Biomedical subjects

Susan M Shirreffs

Publications and source records attributed to Susan M Shirreffs.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Blood-brain barrier integrity may be threatened by exercise in a warm environment.

Seven active men were recruited to examine changes in the serum concentration of S100beta, a proposed peripheral marker of blood-brain barrier permeability, following prolonged exercise in temperate (T) and warm (W) conditions. Subjects were seated immersed to the neck in water at 35.0 (0.1) degrees C (T) or 39.0 (0.1) degrees C (W) for 30 min. Subjects then entered a room maintained at either 18.3 (1.8) degrees C (T) or 35.0 (0.3) degrees C (W) and completed 60 min of cycle exercise at 60% peak oxygen uptake. Serum S100beta concentration was elevated after exercise in the W trial (+0.12 (0.10) microg/l; P = 0.02) but not after the T trial (P = 0.238). Water immersion and exercise elevated core temperature by 2.1 (0.5) degrees C to 39.5 (0.3) degrees C at the end of exercise in the W trial compared with a 0.9 (0.2) degrees C increase during the T trial (P < 0.001). Weighted mean skin temperature was higher throughout the W trial compared with the T trial (P < 0.001). Heart rate (P < 0.001) and blood glucose (P < 0.001) and lactate (P < 0.001) concentrations were elevated to a greater extent during exercise in the W trial than in the T trial. Ratings of perceived exertion (P < 0.001) and thermal comfort (P < 0.001) were markedly higher throughout the W trial than in the T trial. The results of this study demonstrate that serum S100beta was elevated after water immersion and prolonged exercise in a warm environment, suggesting that blood-brain barrier permeability may be altered.

Adult↗

The importance of good hydration for work and exercise performance.

This review covers published literature on the influence of whole-body hydration status on exercise performance. The majority of information in this area relates to endurance exercise performance, but information on power, strength, and sporting skills has also been investigated. These areas form the focus of the current review. It is apparent that some individuals can tolerate body water losses amounting to 2% of body mass without significant risk to physical well-being or endurance exercise performance when the environment is cold (for example 5 degrees C-10 degrees C) or temperate (for example 20 degrees C-22 degrees C). However, when exercising in a hot environment (an environmental temperature of 30 degrees C or more), dehydration by 2% of body mass impairs exercise performance and increases the possibility of suffering a heat injury.

Body Temperature Regulation↗

The effect of acute branched-chain amino acid supplementation on prolonged exercise capacity in a warm environment.

Eight males were recruited to examine the effect of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation on exercise capacity in a glycogen-depleted state in a warm environment. Following a exercise and dietary regimen designed to reduce glycogen availability, subjects returned to the laboratory the following morning and remained seated for 2 h, before cycling to volitional exhaustion at 50% VO2 peak in a warm environment [30.0 (0.2) degrees C; mean (SD)]. Four 250 ml aliquots of a 12 g l(-1) BCAA solution or placebo were ingested at 30 min intervals prior to exercise, with an additional 150 ml consumed every 15 min throughout exercise. BCAA ingestion had no effect on exercise capacity [placebo 103.9 (26.9) min; BCAA 111.0 (29.2) min; P = 0.129). No difference in heart rate (P = 0.345), core temperature (P = 0.628), or weighted mean skin temperature (P = 0.114) was apparent between trials. Ingestion of the BCAA solution produced a marked increase in plasma BCAA immediately prior to exercise [+ 1126 (158) micromol l(-1); P < 0.001) with this difference maintained throughout. Consequently, a significant reduction in the plasma concentration ratio of free tryptophan to BCAA was observed during the BCAA trial when compared to the placebo (P < 0.001). Plasma ammonia concentration was significantly elevated during exercise throughout the BCAA trial (P < 0.001), with no change from rest apparent during the placebo trial (P = 0.608). Blood glucose (P = 0.114) and lactate (P = 0.836) concentrations were not different between trials. Ingestion of a BCAA solution prior to, and during, prolonged exercise in glycogen-depleted subjects did not influence exercise capacity in a warm environment.

Adult↗

The effects of fluid restriction on hydration status and subjective feelings in man.

Hydration status and the effects of hypohydration have been the topic of much public and scientific debate in recent years. While many physiological responses to hypohydration have been studied extensively, the subjective responses to hypohydration have largely been ignored. The present investigation was designed to investigate the physiological responses and subjective feelings resulting from 13, 24 and 37 h of fluid restriction (FR) and to compare these with a euhydration (EU) trial of the same duration in fifteen healthy volunteers. The volunteers were nine men and six women of mean age 30 (sd 12) years and body mass 71.5 (sd 13.4) kg. Urine and blood samples were collected and subjective feelings recorded on a 100 mm verbally anchored questionnaire at intervals throughout the investigation. In the EU trial the subjects maintained their normal diet. Body mass decreased by 2.7 (sd 0.6) % at 37 h in the FR trial and did not change significantly in the EU trial. Food intake in the FR trial (n 10) provided an estimated water intake of 487 (sd 335) ml and urinary losses (n 15) amounted to 1.37 (sd 0.39) litres. This is in comparison with an estimated water intake of 3168 (sd 1167) ml and a urinary loss of 2.76 (sd 1.11) litres in the EU trial. Plasma osmolality and angiotensin II concentrations increased from 0-37 h with FR. Plasma volume decreased linearly throughout the FR trial amounting to a 6.2 (sd 5.1) % reduction by 37 h. Thirst increased from 0-13 h of FR then did not increase further (P>0.05). The subjects reported feelings of headache during the FR trial and also that their ability to concentrate and their alertness were reduced.

Adult↗

Fluid and electrolyte needs for preparation and recovery from training and competition.

For a person undertaking regular exercise, any fluid deficit that is incurred during one exercise session can potentially compromise the next exercise session if adequate fluid replacement does not occur. Fluid replacement after exercise can, therefore, frequently be thought of as hydration before the next exercise bout. The importance of ensuring euhydration before exercise and the potential benefits of temporary hyperhydration with sodium salts or glycerol solutions are also important issues. Post-exercise restoration of fluid balance after sweat-induced dehydration avoids the detrimental effects of a body water deficit on physiological function and subsequent exercise performance. For effective restoration of fluid balance, the consumption of a volume of fluid in excess of the sweat loss and replacement of electrolyte, particularly sodium, losses are essential. Intravenous fluid replacement after exercise has been investigated to a lesser extent and its role for fluid replacement in the dehydrated but otherwise well athlete remains equivocal.

Blood Volume↗

Fluid and electrolyte intake and loss in elite soccer players during training.

This study measured fluid balance during a 90-min preseason training session in the first team squad (24 players) of an English Premier League football team. Sweat loss was assessed from changes in body mass after correction for ingested fluids and urine passed. Sweat composition was measured by collection from patches attached to the skin at 4 sites. The weather was warm (24-29 degrees C), with moderate humidity (46-64%). The mean +/- SD body mass loss over the training session was 1.10+/- 0.43 kg, equivalent to a level of dehydration of 1.37 +/- 0.54% of the pre-training body mass. Mean fluid intake was 971 +/- 303 ml. Estimated total mean sweat loss was 2033 +/- 413 ml. Mean sweat electrolyte concentrations (mmol/L) were: sodium, 49 +/- 12; potassium, 6.0 +/- 1.3; chloride, 43 +/- 10. Total sweat sodium loss of 99+/- 24 mmol corresponds to a salt (sodium chloride) loss of 5.8 +/- 1.4 g. Mean urine osmolality measured on pre-training samples provided by the players was 666 +/- 311 mosmol/kg (n = 21). These data indicate that sweat losses of water and solute in football players in training can be substantial but vary greatly between players even with the same exercise and environmental conditions. Voluntary fluid intake also shows wide inter-individual variability and is generally insufficient to match fluid losses.

Adult↗