Exercise-induced dehydration can have a negative impact on exercise performance, and restoration of fluid balance should be achieved after exercise. What effect do electrolyte drinks have in this regard?
A study by Clarke & Taylor examined the effectiveness of drinks containing electrolytes after an interval training session in highly trained middle-distance runners.
Post-exercise the participants consumed a volume equivalent to their 1.5 times of body mass loss of taste matched Placebo (PLA), SOS Rehydrate (SOS) and an electrolyte sports drink tablet Nuun (ESD). Measures of hydration status including blood plasma volume, haematocrit and body mass were assessed pre, post and the following morning (+12 h) to assess the effectiveness of the rehydration solutions.
In terms of body mass change, only minor differences were found between beverages. Whereas moderate to large differences were observed for changes in plasma volume.
These results suggest SOS Hydration ingestion resulted in enhanced restoration of body mass and plasma volume 12 hours following an interval training session in highly trained middle-distance runners.
References
Clarke et al. (2008) Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 111, 1069-1077.
Shirreffs & Sawka (2011) J. Sports Sci. 29(S1), S39-S46.
Hopkins (2000) Sports Med. 30: 1-15.
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