European Journal of Applied Physiology

, Volume 108, Issue 3, pp 477–482 | Cite as

Accumulation of 2H2O in plasma and eccrine sweat during exercise-heat stress

  • Lawrence E. Armstrong
  • Jennifer F. Klau
  • Matthew S. Ganio
  • Brendon P. McDermott
  • Susan W. Yeargin
  • Elaine C. Lee
  • Carl M. Maresh
Original Article
First Online:
Accepted:

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to characterize the movement of ingested water through body fluids, during exercise-heat stress. Deuterium oxide (2H2O) accumulation in plasma and eccrine sweat was measured at two sites (back and forehead). The exercise of 14 males was controlled via cycle ergometry in a warm environment (60 min; 28.7°C, 51%rh). Subjects consumed 2H2O (0.15 mg kg−1, 99.9% purity) mixed in flavored, non-caloric, colored water before exercise, then consumed 3.0 ml kg−1 containing no 2H2O every 15 min during exercise. We hypothesized that water transit from mouth to skin would occur before 15 min. 2H2O appeared rapidly in both plasma and sweat (P < 0.05), within 10 min of water consumption. The ratio 2H2O/H2O (D:H) was 47.3–55.0 times greater in plasma than in back sweat at minutes 10, 20, and 30 (ΔD:H relative to baseline). At elapsed minute 20, the mean rate of deuterium accumulation (ΔD:H min−1) in plasma was 14.9 and 23.7 times greater than in forehead and back sweat samples, respectively. Mean (±SE) whole-body sweat rate was 1.04 ± 0.05 L h−1 and subjects with the greatest whole-body sweat rate exhibited the greatest peak deuterium enrichment in sweat (r 2 = 0.87, exponential function); the peak 2H2O enrichment in sweat was not proportional (P > 0.05) to body mass, volume of the deuterium dose, or total volume of fluid consumed. These findings clarify the time course of fluid movement from mouth to eccrine sweat glands, and demonstrate considerable differences of 2H2O enrichment in plasma versus sweat.

Keywords

Deuterium oxide Body fluid Thermoregulation Plasma 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Notes

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the technical assistance of Martha Brown, Joāo Carlos Dias, Mark Farrell, Ashley Gauvain, Neal Glaviano, Payal Mankind, Anna Sloan, Bülent Sökmen, Christine Stroly, David Wood, and Linda Yamamoto. Lynn S. Mardon provided editorial assistance. This investigation was funded in part by The Coca Cola Co., Atlanta, GA.

References

  1. Adams WC, Fox RH, Fry AJ, MacDonald IC (1975) Thermoregulation during marathon running in cool, moderate, and hot environments. J Appl Physiol 38:1030–1037PubMedGoogle Scholar
  2. Armstrong LE, Hubbard RW, Zeisel SH, Janghorbani M (1987) Appearance of H218O in plasma and sweat during exercise-heat exposure. Abstract. Med Sci Sports Exerc 19:S56–S57Google Scholar
  3. Armstrong LE, Maresh CM, Gabaree CV, Hoffman JR, Kavouras SA, Kenefick RW, Castellani JW, Ahlquist LE (1997) Thermal and circulatory responses during exercise: effects of hypohydration, dehydration, and water intake. J Appl Physiol 82:2028–2035PubMedGoogle Scholar
  4. Armstrong LE, Casa DJ, Millard-Stafford M, Moran DS, Pyne SW, Roberts WO (2007) Exertional heat illness during training and competition. American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39:556–572CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  5. Binkley HM, Beckett J, Casa DJ, Kleiner DM, Plummer PE (2002) National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: exertional heat illnesses. J Athl Train 37:329–343PubMedGoogle Scholar
  6. Borg G (1970) Perceived exertion as a measure of somatic stress. Scand J Rehab Med 2:92–98Google Scholar
  7. Buono MJ, Ball KD, Kolkhorst FW (2007) Sodium ion concentration vs. sweat rate relationship in humans. J Appl Physiol 103:990–994CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  8. Casa DJ, Armstrong LE, Hillman SK, Montain SJ, Reiff RV, Rich BSE, Roberts WO, Stone JA (2000) National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement. Fluid replacement for athletes. J Athl Train 35:212–224PubMedGoogle Scholar
  9. Costill DL (1990) Gastric emptying of fluids during exercise. In: Gisolfi CV, Lamb DR (eds) Perspectives in exercise science and sports medicine, Vol 3. Fluid homeostasis during exercise. Benchmark, Carmel, IN, pp 97–128Google Scholar
  10. Davis JM, Lamb DR, Burgess WA, Bartoli WP (1987) Accumulation of deuterium oxide in body fluids after ingestion of D2O-labeled beverages. J Appl Physiol 63:2060–2066PubMedGoogle Scholar
  11. Davis JM, Burgess WA, Slentz CA, Bartoli WP, Pate RR (1988) Effects of ingesting 6% and 12% glucose/electrolyte beverages during prolonged intermittent cycling in the heat. Eur J Appl Physiol 57:563–569CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. Department of the Army and Air Force, Headquarters (2003) Heat stress control and heat casualty management. Technical Bulletin TB MED 507, Washington, DC, pp 19–22, 43Google Scholar
  13. Ganio MS, Klau JF, Lee EC, Yeargin SW, McDermott BP, Buyckx M, Maresh CM, Armstrong LE (2009) Effect of various carbohydrate-electrolyte fluids on cycling performance and maximal voluntary contraction. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab (in press)Google Scholar
  14. Gisolfi CV, Summers RW, Schedl HP, Bleiler TL, Oppliger RA (1990) Human intestinal water absorption: direct vs. indirect measurements. Am J Physiol 258:G216–G222PubMedGoogle Scholar
  15. Koulmann N, Melin B, Jimenez C, Charpenet A, Savourey G, Bittel J (1997) Effects of different carbohydrate–electrolyte beverages on the appearance of ingested deuterium in body fluids during moderate exercise by humans in the heat. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 75:525–531CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  16. Lambert CP, Maughan RJ (1992) Accumulation in the blood of a deuterium tracer added to hot and cold beverages. Scand J Med Sci Sports Exerc 2:76–78CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  17. Lambert CP, Ball D, Leiper JB, Maughan RJ (1999) The use of a deuterium tracer technique to follow the fate of fluids ingested by human subjects: effects of drink volume and tracer concentration and content. Exp Physiol 84:391–399CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  18. Maughan RJ, Leiper JB, Vist GE (2004) Gastric emptying and fluid availability after ingestion of glucose and soy protein hydrolysate solutions in man. Exper Physiol 89:101–108CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  19. Montain SJ, Coyle EF (1992) Influence of graded dehydration on hyperthermia and cardiovascular drift during exercise. J Appl Physiol 73:1340–1350PubMedGoogle Scholar
  20. Pinson GA (1952) Water exchanges and barriers as studied by the use of hydrogen isotopes. Physiol Rev 32:123–134PubMedGoogle Scholar
  21. Rehrer NJ, Wagenmakers JM, Beckers EJ, Halliday D, Leiper JB, Brouns F, Maughan RJ, Westerterp K, Saris WHM (1992) Gastric emptying, absorption, and carbohydrate oxidation during prolonged exercise. J Appl Physiol 72:468–475PubMedGoogle Scholar
  22. Sato K (1993) The mechanism of eccrine sweat secretion. In: Gisolfi CV, Lamb DR, Nadel ER (eds) Perspectives in exercise science and sports medicine, vol 6. Exercise, heat, and thermoregulation. Brown and Benchmark, Dubuque, IA, pp 85–118Google Scholar
  23. Sawka MN, Burke LM, Eichner ER, Maughan RJ, Montain SJ, Stachenfeld NS (2007) American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and fluid replacement. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39:377–390CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  24. Schoeller DA, Leitch CA, Brown C (1986) Doubly labeled water method: in vivo oxygen and hydrogen isotope fractionation. Am J Physiol 251:R1137–R1143PubMedGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  • Lawrence E. Armstrong
    • 1
  • Jennifer F. Klau
    • 1
  • Matthew S. Ganio
    • 2
  • Brendon P. McDermott
    • 3
  • Susan W. Yeargin
    • 4
  • Elaine C. Lee
    • 1
  • Carl M. Maresh
    • 1
  1. 1.Human Performance LaboratoryUniversity of ConnecticutStorrsUSA
  2. 2.Texas Health Presbyterian HospitalInstitute for Exercise and Environmental MedicineDallasUSA
  3. 3.Department of Health and Human PerformanceUniversity of Tennessee at ChattanoogaChattanoogaUSA
  4. 4.Athletic Training DepartmentIndiana State UniversityTerre HauteUSA

Personalised recommendations