Dehydration and hyponatremia during triathlons.
In ultraendurance triathlons, dehydration and electrolyte balance are important factors in race completion and level of performance. Dehydration is the most common reason for a triathlete in the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon to need medical assistance. Hyponatremia is the predominant electrolyte disturbance. We have previously described exercise-induced hyponatremia and documented its incidence as a function of race length and state of hydration. This syndrome, dehydration plus hyponatremia, is extremely rare in races lasting less than 4 h but becomes common in races lasting longer than 8 h. Recommendations are made to help ultraendurance athletes understand and maintain proper fluid and electrolyte balance.
Hiller
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Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96882.
D001642:Bicycling; D003681:Dehydration / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000209:etiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running; D013550:Swimming; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000209:etiology*