Hydration status and cognitive-motor performance during a fast triathlon race in the heat

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hydration status and cognitive-motor performance in athletes during a fast triathlon race in the heat. Twelve triathletes (34 ± 2.7 years) participated in the study. Hydration status was measured by body mass (BM) loss, urine color and urine specific gravity (SG). The cognitive-motor performance was determined by motor coordination (MC) and simple reaction time (SRT). There was a significant decrease of BM (1.8 %; P < 0.001). A significant increase from pre race to post race was observed in urine color (P < 0.001) and SG (P < 0.001), respectively. The SRT was faster after race. However, athletes demonstrated dysmetria, impairing MC. It was concluded that dehydration levels were observed among athletes after race. Adverse changes were found on the cognitive-motor performance. Athletes demonstrated greater motor incoordination, but improved the reaction time.

Athletic performance; Dehydration; Reaction time