European Journal of Applied Physiology

, Volume 116, Issue 4, pp 687–695 | Cite as

Effects of mild hypohydration on cooling during cold-water immersion following exertional hyperthermia

  • Cory L. Butts
  • Katherine E. Luhring
  • Cody R. Smith
  • Matthew A. Tucker
  • Nicole E. Moyen
  • Matthew S. Ganio
  • Brendon P. McDermott
Original Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Purpose

We investigated the effects of mild hypohydration compared to euhydration on the cooling efficacy of cold-water immersion (CWI).

Methods

Fourteen participants (eight male, six female; age 26 ± 5 years; ht 1.77 ± 0.08 m; wt 72.2 ± 8.8 kg; 20.6 ± 7.4 % body fat) completed one euhydrated (EU) trial followed by one hypohydrated trial (HY; via 24 h fluid restriction) in an environmental chamber (33.6 ± 0.9 °C, 55.8 ± 1.7 % RH). Volitional exercise was performed in a manner that matched end-exercise rectal temperature (T re) through repeating exercise mode and intensity. Participants were then immersed in ice water (2.0 ± 0.8 °C) until T re reached 38.1 °C or for a maximum of 15 min. T re, heart rate (HR), skin blood flux (SBF) and mean skin temperature (T sk) were monitored continuously during cooling.

Results

Pre-cooling body mass was decreased in the HY trial (−2.66 ± 1.23 % body mass) and maintained in the EU trial (−0.66 ± 0.44 %) compared to baseline mass (P < 0.001). Cooling rates were faster when EU (0.14 ± 0.05 °C/min) compared to HY (0.11 ± 0.05 °C/min, P = 0.046). HR, SBF, and T sk were not different between EU and HY trials (P > 0.05), however, all variables significantly decreased with immersion independent of hydration status (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The primary finding was that hypohydration modestly attenuates the rate of cooling in exertionally hyperthermic individuals. Regardless of hydration status, the cooling efficacy of CWI was preserved and should continue to be utilized in the treatment of exertional hyperthermia.

Keywords

Cold-water immersion Hypohydration Dehydration Exertional hyperthermia Exertional heat illness treatment 

Abbreviations

CWI

Cold-water immersion

EU

Euhydration

HY

Hypohydration

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Notes

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest

None.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.University of ArkansasFayettevilleUSA

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