Runners face higher dehydration risks due to sweating, especially in long distances or hot weather. Sweat leads to water and electrolyte loss, exacerbating dehydration risk.
Dehydration in hot temperatures can shorten exercise duration or intensity. Adjust by running indoors, shortening runs to <1 hour, or prioritizing hydration.
Dehydration of 2-4% body mass reduces VO2 max (oxygen utilization during exercise). Studies confirm correlation between dehydration and VO reduction.
Motor coordination enables synchronized movement of body parts for specific actions like running. It allows simultaneous movement of arms and legs for efficient running.
Muscle cramps relate more to electrolyte loss than water loss. Athletes lacking carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks were prone to cramps despite water intake.
Hyperthermia is defined as an abnormally high body temperature. Earlier in the blog post, we mentioned sweating during exercise helps us cool our bodies down.
Dehydration minimally affects neuromuscular system and muscular power, with a 1-3% decrease found in 67% of participants in a study.
Dehydration can impair running performance, affecting muscle power and coordination. Electrolyte intake may mitigate these effects for optimal performance.