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Electrolyte supplementation during severe energy restriction increases exercise capacity in the heat

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Abstract

Purpose

This study examined the effects of sodium chloride and potassium chloride supplementation during 48-h severe energy restriction on exercise capacity in the heat.

Methods

Nine males completed three 48-h trials: adequate energy intake (100 % requirement), adequate electrolyte intake (CON); restricted energy intake (33 % requirement), adequate electrolyte intake (ER-E); and restricted energy intake (33 % requirement), restricted electrolyte intake (ER-P). At 48 h, cycling exercise capacity at 60 % \( \dot{V} \)O2 peak was determined in the heat (35.2 °C; 61.5 % relative humidity).

Results

Body mass loss during the 48 h was greater during ER-P [2.16 (0.36) kg] than ER-E [1.43 (0.47) kg; P < 0.01] and CON [0.39 (0.68) kg; P < 0.001], as well as greater during ER-E than CON (P < 0.01). Plasma volume decreased during ER-P (P < 0.001), but not ER-E or CON. Exercise capacity was greater during CON [73.6 (13.5) min] and ER-E [67.0 (17.2) min] than ER-P [56.5 (13.1) min; P < 0.01], but was not different between CON and ER-E (P = 0.237). Heart rate during exercise was lower during CON and ER-E than ER-P (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that supplementation of sodium chloride and potassium chloride during energy restriction attenuated the reduction in exercise capacity that occurred with energy restriction alone. Supplementation maintained plasma volume at pre-trial levels and consequently prevented the increased heart rate observed with energy restriction alone. These results suggest that water and electrolyte imbalances associated with dietary energy and electrolyte restriction might contribute to reduced exercise capacity in the heat.

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Abbreviations

ER:

Energy restriction

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

T rec :

Rectal temperature

T sk :

Skin temperature

TC:

Thermal comfort

CON:

Control trial

ER-E:

Energy restriction with electrolyte supplementation trial

ER-P:

Energy restriction with placebo supplementation trial

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr Phillip Watson for his assistance with blood sampling during this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK

    Lewis J. James, Stephen A. Mears & Susan M. Shirreffs

Authors
  1. Lewis J. James
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  2. Stephen A. Mears
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  3. Susan M. Shirreffs
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lewis J. James.

Additional information

Communicated by Guido Ferretti.

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James, L.J., Mears, S.A. & Shirreffs, S.M. Electrolyte supplementation during severe energy restriction increases exercise capacity in the heat. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 2621–2629 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3254-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3254-1

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