Physiological and Performance Effects of Glycerol Hyperhydration for World Championship Distance Duathlons in Hot Conditions
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preexercise glycerol hyperhydration on endurance performance in a heat chamber designed to simulate the World Championship Distance (WCD) duathlon (10km run, 40km ride, 5 km run). Duathlons are often performed in hot and humid conditions and as a result hydration is a major issue. Glycerol enhances the body’s capacity for fluid retention by inducing hyperhydration, which is theorized to improve thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses, and thereby improve performance. Six well-trained athletes completed the testing protocol in a heat chamber at the La Trobe University Exercise Physiology Laboratory. Each testing session was approximately 4.5 hours in duration (2 hours of pre-exercise glycerol hyper-hydration followed by approximately 2.5 hours of exercise). The results showed an increased water retention pre-exercise and an improved overall performance of 2.04% was achieved by subjects ingesting the glycerol solution.
<p>[1] Cheuvront, S.N., R. Carter 3rd, and M.N. Sawka, Fluid balance and
endurance exercise performance. Current sports medicine reports,
2003. 2(4): p. 202-208.
[2] Coutts, A., P. Reaburn, K. Mummery, and M. Holmes, The Effect of
Glycerol Hyperhydration on Olympic Distance Triathlon Performance
in High Ambient Temperatures. International Journal of Sport Nutrition
and Exercise Metabolism, 2002. 12(1): p. 105-119.
[3] Walsh, R., T. Noakes, J. Hawley, and S. Dennis, Impaired highintensity
cycling performance time at low levels of dehydration.
International Journal of Sports Medicine, 1994. 15(7): p. 392-398.
[4] González‐Alonso, J., J.A.L. Calbet, and B. Nielsen, Muscle blood flow
is reduced with dehydration during prolonged exercise in humans. The
Journal of Physiology, 1998. 513(3): p. 895-905.
[5] Sawka, M.N., S.J. Montain, and W.A. Latzka, Hydration effects on
thermoregulation and performance in the heat. Comparative
Biochemistry and Physiology-Part A: Molecular & Integrative
Physiology, 2001. 128(4): p. 679-690.
[6] Sawna, M.N. and E.F. Coyle, Influence of Body Water and Blood
Volume on Thermoregulation and Exercise Performance in the Heat.
Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 1999. 27(1): p. 167-218.
[7] Robergs, R., Glycerol hyperhydration to beat the heat. Sportscience
Training Techniques, 1998.
[8] Gonzalez-Alonso, J., R. Mora-Rodriguez, P. Below, and E. Coyle,
Dehydration reduces cardiac output and increases systemic and
cutaneous vascular resistance during exercise. Journal of Applied
Physiology, 1995. 79(5): p. 1487-1496.
[9] Nadel, E.R., S.M. Fortney, and C.B. Wenger, Effect of hydration state
of circulatory and thermal regulations. Journal of Applied Physiology,
1980. 49(4): p. 715-721.
[10] Sawka, M.N., L.M. Burke, E.R. Eichner, R.J. Maughan, S.J. Montain,
and N.S. Stachenfeld, Exercise and fluid replacement. Medicine and
Science in Sports and Exercise, 2007. 39(2): p. 377-390.
[11] Hitchins, S., D.T. Martin, L. Burke, K. Yates, K. Fallon, A. Hahn, and
G.P. Dobson, Glycerol hyperhydration improves cycle time trial
performance in hot humid conditions. European Journal of Applied
Physiology, 1999. 80(5): p. 494-501.
[12] Lyons, T. and M. Riedesel, Glycerol-induced hyperhydration: its effects
on fluid compartments in the rat. Life Sciences, 1993. 53(23): p. 1779-
1787.
[13] Robergs, R.A. and S.E. Griffin, Glycerol - Biochemistry,
pharmacokinetics and clinical and practical applications. Sports
Medicine, 1998. 26(3): p. 145-167.
[14] van Rosendal, S.P., M.A. Osborne, R.G. Fassett, and J.S. Coombes,
Physiological and performance effects of glycerol hyperhydration and
rehydration. Nutrition Reviews, 2009. 67(12): p. 690-705.
[15] Goulet, E.D.B., R.A. Robergs, S. Labrecque, D. Royer, and I.J. Dionne,
Effect of glycerol-induced hyperhydration on thermoregulatory and
cardiovascular functions and endurance performance during
prolonged cycling in a 25 degrees C environment. Applied Physiology
Nutrition and Metabolism-Physiologie Appliquee Nutrition Et
Metabolisme, 2006. 31(2): p. 101-109.
[16] Lyons, T., M. Riedesel, L. Meuli, and T. Chick, Effects of glycerolinduced
hyperhydration prior to exercise in the heat on sweating and
core temperature. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 1990.
22(4): p. 477-483.
[17] Riedesel, M., D. Allen, G. Peake, and K. Al-Qattan, Hyperhydration
with glycerol solutions. Journal of Applied Physiology, 1987. 63(6): p.
2262-2268.
[18] Freund, B., S. Montain, A. Young, M. Sawka, J. DeLuca, K. Pandolf,
and C. Valeri, Glycerol hyperhydration: hormonal, renal, and vascular
fluid responses. Journal of Applied Physiology, 1995. 79(6): p. 2069-
2077.
[19] Anderson, M.J., J.D. Cotter, A.P. Garnham, D.J. Casley, and M.A.
Febbraio, Effect of glycerol-induced hyperhydration on
thermoregulation and metabolism during exercise in the heat.
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2001.
11(3): p. 315-333.
[20] Easton, C., S. Turner, and Y.P. Pitsiladis, Creatine and glycerol
hyperhydration in trained subjects before exercise in the heat.
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2007.
17(1): p. 70-91.
[21] Goulet, E.D.B., S.F. Rousseau, C.R.H. Lamboley, G.E. Plante, and I.J.
Dionne, Pre-exercise hyperhydration delays dehydration and improves
endurance capacity during 2 h of cycling in a temperate climate.
Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 2008. 27(5): p. 263-271.
[22] Marino, F.E., D. Kay, and J. Cannon, Glycerol hyperhydration fails to
improve endurance performance and thermoregulation in humans in a
warm humid environment. Pflugers Archiv-European Journal of
Physiology, 2003. 446(4): p. 455-462.
[23] Monter, P., Y. Zou, R.A. Robergs, G. Murata, D. Stark, W.S. Quirm , D.
Lium, and E. Greene, Glycerol hyperhydration alters cardiovascular
and renal function. Journal of Exercise Physiology, 1999.
[24] Magal, M., M.J. Webster, L.E. Sistrunk, M.T. Whitehead, R.K. Evans,
and J.C. Boyd, Comparison of glycerol and water hydration regimens
on tennis-related performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and
Exercise, 2003. 35(1): p. 150-156.
[25] Green, H.J., L.L. Jones, and D.C. Painter, Effects of short-term training
on cardiac function during prolonged exercise. Medicine & Science in
Sports & Exercise, 1990. 22(4): p. 488-493.
[26] Watt, M.J., A.P. Garnham, M.A. Febbraio, and M. Hargreaves, Effect of
acute plasma volume expansion on thermoregulation and exercise
performance in the heat. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise,
2000. 32(5): p. 958-962.
[27] Nelson, J.L. and R.A. Robergs, Exploring the potential ergogenic
effects of glycerol hyperhydration. Sports Medicine, 2007. 37(11): p.
981-1000.
[28] Burke, L., M. Cort, G. Cox, R. Crawford, B. Desbrow, L. Farthing, M.
Minehan, N. Shaw, and O. Warnes, Supplements and sports foods.
Clinical Sports Nutrition. Sydney, Australia: McGraw-Hill, 2006: p.
485-579.
[29] Medicine, A.C.o.S., Guidelines for graded exercise testing and exercise
prescription. 1980: Lea & Febiger.
[30] Wingo, J.E., D.J. Casa, E.M. Berger, W.O. Dellis, J.C. Knight, and J.M.
McClung, Influence of a pre-exercise glycerol hydration beverage on
performance and physiologic function during mountain-bike races in
the heat. Journal of Athletic Training, 2004. 39(2): p. 169-175.
[31] Latzka, W.A., M.N. Sawka, S.J. Montain, G.S. Skrinar, R.A. Fielding,
R.P. Matott, and K.B. Pandolf, Hyperhydration: tolerance and
cardiovascular effects during uncompensable exercise-heat stress.
Journal of Applied Physiology, 1998. 84(6): p. 1858-1864.
[32] Knight, C., A. Braakhuis, and C. Paton, The Effect of Glycerol
Ingestion on Performance During Simulated Multisport Activity.
Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 2010. 81(2): p. 233-238</p>
<p>[1] Cheuvront, S.N., R. Carter 3rd, and M.N. Sawka, Fluid balance and
endurance exercise performance. Current sports medicine reports,
2003. 2(4): p. 202-208.
[2] Coutts, A., P. Reaburn, K. Mummery, and M. Holmes, The Effect of
Glycerol Hyperhydration on Olympic Distance Triathlon Performance
in High Ambient Temperatures. International Journal of Sport Nutrition
and Exercise Metabolism, 2002. 12(1): p. 105-119.
[3] Walsh, R., T. Noakes, J. Hawley, and S. Dennis, Impaired highintensity
cycling performance time at low levels of dehydration.
International Journal of Sports Medicine, 1994. 15(7): p. 392-398.
[4] González‐Alonso, J., J.A.L. Calbet, and B. Nielsen, Muscle blood flow
is reduced with dehydration during prolonged exercise in humans. The
Journal of Physiology, 1998. 513(3): p. 895-905.
[5] Sawka, M.N., S.J. Montain, and W.A. Latzka, Hydration effects on
thermoregulation and performance in the heat. Comparative
Biochemistry and Physiology-Part A: Molecular & Integrative
Physiology, 2001. 128(4): p. 679-690.
[6] Sawna, M.N. and E.F. Coyle, Influence of Body Water and Blood
Volume on Thermoregulation and Exercise Performance in the Heat.
Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 1999. 27(1): p. 167-218.
[7] Robergs, R., Glycerol hyperhydration to beat the heat. Sportscience
Training Techniques, 1998.
[8] Gonzalez-Alonso, J., R. Mora-Rodriguez, P. Below, and E. Coyle,
Dehydration reduces cardiac output and increases systemic and
cutaneous vascular resistance during exercise. Journal of Applied
Physiology, 1995. 79(5): p. 1487-1496.
[9] Nadel, E.R., S.M. Fortney, and C.B. Wenger, Effect of hydration state
of circulatory and thermal regulations. Journal of Applied Physiology,
1980. 49(4): p. 715-721.
[10] Sawka, M.N., L.M. Burke, E.R. Eichner, R.J. Maughan, S.J. Montain,
and N.S. Stachenfeld, Exercise and fluid replacement. Medicine and
Science in Sports and Exercise, 2007. 39(2): p. 377-390.
[11] Hitchins, S., D.T. Martin, L. Burke, K. Yates, K. Fallon, A. Hahn, and
G.P. Dobson, Glycerol hyperhydration improves cycle time trial
performance in hot humid conditions. European Journal of Applied
Physiology, 1999. 80(5): p. 494-501.
[12] Lyons, T. and M. Riedesel, Glycerol-induced hyperhydration: its effects
on fluid compartments in the rat. Life Sciences, 1993. 53(23): p. 1779-
1787.
[13] Robergs, R.A. and S.E. Griffin, Glycerol - Biochemistry,
pharmacokinetics and clinical and practical applications. Sports
Medicine, 1998. 26(3): p. 145-167.
[14] van Rosendal, S.P., M.A. Osborne, R.G. Fassett, and J.S. Coombes,
Physiological and performance effects of glycerol hyperhydration and
rehydration. Nutrition Reviews, 2009. 67(12): p. 690-705.
[15] Goulet, E.D.B., R.A. Robergs, S. Labrecque, D. Royer, and I.J. Dionne,
Effect of glycerol-induced hyperhydration on thermoregulatory and
cardiovascular functions and endurance performance during
prolonged cycling in a 25 degrees C environment. Applied Physiology
Nutrition and Metabolism-Physiologie Appliquee Nutrition Et
Metabolisme, 2006. 31(2): p. 101-109.
[16] Lyons, T., M. Riedesel, L. Meuli, and T. Chick, Effects of glycerolinduced
hyperhydration prior to exercise in the heat on sweating and
core temperature. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 1990.
22(4): p. 477-483.
[17] Riedesel, M., D. Allen, G. Peake, and K. Al-Qattan, Hyperhydration
with glycerol solutions. Journal of Applied Physiology, 1987. 63(6): p.
2262-2268.
[18] Freund, B., S. Montain, A. Young, M. Sawka, J. DeLuca, K. Pandolf,
and C. Valeri, Glycerol hyperhydration: hormonal, renal, and vascular
fluid responses. Journal of Applied Physiology, 1995. 79(6): p. 2069-
2077.
[19] Anderson, M.J., J.D. Cotter, A.P. Garnham, D.J. Casley, and M.A.
Febbraio, Effect of glycerol-induced hyperhydration on
thermoregulation and metabolism during exercise in the heat.
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2001.
11(3): p. 315-333.
[20] Easton, C., S. Turner, and Y.P. Pitsiladis, Creatine and glycerol
hyperhydration in trained subjects before exercise in the heat.
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2007.
17(1): p. 70-91.
[21] Goulet, E.D.B., S.F. Rousseau, C.R.H. Lamboley, G.E. Plante, and I.J.
Dionne, Pre-exercise hyperhydration delays dehydration and improves
endurance capacity during 2 h of cycling in a temperate climate.
Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 2008. 27(5): p. 263-271.
[22] Marino, F.E., D. Kay, and J. Cannon, Glycerol hyperhydration fails to
improve endurance performance and thermoregulation in humans in a
warm humid environment. Pflugers Archiv-European Journal of
Physiology, 2003. 446(4): p. 455-462.
[23] Monter, P., Y. Zou, R.A. Robergs, G. Murata, D. Stark, W.S. Quirm , D.
Lium, and E. Greene, Glycerol hyperhydration alters cardiovascular
and renal function. Journal of Exercise Physiology, 1999.
[24] Magal, M., M.J. Webster, L.E. Sistrunk, M.T. Whitehead, R.K. Evans,
and J.C. Boyd, Comparison of glycerol and water hydration regimens
on tennis-related performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and
Exercise, 2003. 35(1): p. 150-156.
[25] Green, H.J., L.L. Jones, and D.C. Painter, Effects of short-term training
on cardiac function during prolonged exercise. Medicine & Science in
Sports & Exercise, 1990. 22(4): p. 488-493.
[26] Watt, M.J., A.P. Garnham, M.A. Febbraio, and M. Hargreaves, Effect of
acute plasma volume expansion on thermoregulation and exercise
performance in the heat. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise,
2000. 32(5): p. 958-962.
[27] Nelson, J.L. and R.A. Robergs, Exploring the potential ergogenic
effects of glycerol hyperhydration. Sports Medicine, 2007. 37(11): p.
981-1000.
[28] Burke, L., M. Cort, G. Cox, R. Crawford, B. Desbrow, L. Farthing, M.
Minehan, N. Shaw, and O. Warnes, Supplements and sports foods.
Clinical Sports Nutrition. Sydney, Australia: McGraw-Hill, 2006: p.
485-579.
[29] Medicine, A.C.o.S., Guidelines for graded exercise testing and exercise
prescription. 1980: Lea & Febiger.
[30] Wingo, J.E., D.J. Casa, E.M. Berger, W.O. Dellis, J.C. Knight, and J.M.
McClung, Influence of a pre-exercise glycerol hydration beverage on
performance and physiologic function during mountain-bike races in
the heat. Journal of Athletic Training, 2004. 39(2): p. 169-175.
[31] Latzka, W.A., M.N. Sawka, S.J. Montain, G.S. Skrinar, R.A. Fielding,
R.P. Matott, and K.B. Pandolf, Hyperhydration: tolerance and
cardiovascular effects during uncompensable exercise-heat stress.
Journal of Applied Physiology, 1998. 84(6): p. 1858-1864.
[32] Knight, C., A. Braakhuis, and C. Paton, The Effect of Glycerol
Ingestion on Performance During Simulated Multisport Activity.
Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 2010. 81(2): p. 233-238</p>
@article{"International Journal of Medical, Medicine and Health Sciences:61446", author = "John McCullagh and Jaclyn Munge and NivanWeerakkody and Kerrie Gamble", title = "Physiological and Performance Effects of Glycerol Hyperhydration for World Championship Distance Duathlons in Hot Conditions", abstract = "The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preexercise glycerol hyperhydration on endurance performance in a heat chamber designed to simulate the World Championship Distance (WCD) duathlon (10km run, 40km ride, 5 km run). Duathlons are often performed in hot and humid conditions and as a result hydration is a major issue. Glycerol enhances the body’s capacity for fluid retention by inducing hyperhydration, which is theorized to improve thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses, and thereby improve performance. Six well-trained athletes completed the testing protocol in a heat chamber at the La Trobe University Exercise Physiology Laboratory. Each testing session was approximately 4.5 hours in duration (2 hours of pre-exercise glycerol hyper-hydration followed by approximately 2.5 hours of exercise). The results showed an increased water retention pre-exercise and an improved overall performance of 2.04% was achieved by subjects ingesting the glycerol solution.
", keywords = "Endurance performance, glycerol hyperhydration,
heat chamber.", volume = "7", number = "7", pages = "416-5", }
