title: Effects of oral salt supplementation on physical performance during a half-ironman: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of oral salt supplementation to improve exercise performance during a half-ironman triathlon. Twenty-six experienced triathletes were matched for age, anthropometric data, and training status, and randomly placed into the salt group (113 mmol Na(+) and 112 mmol Cl(-)) or the control group (cellulose). The experimental treatments were ingested before and during a real half-ironman triathlon competition. Pre- and post-race body mass, maximal force during a whole-body isometric strength test, maximal height during a countermovement jump, were measured, and blood samples were obtained. Sweat samples were obtained during the running section. Total race time was lower in the salt group than in the control group (P = 0.04). After the race, whole-body isometric strength (P = 0.17) and jump height (P = 0.49) were similarly reduced in both groups. Sweat loss (P = 0.98) and sweat Na(+) concentration (P = 0.72) were similar between groups. However, body mass tended to be less reduced in the salt group than in the control group (P = 0.09) while post-race serum Na(+) (P = 0.03) and Cl(-) (P = 0.03) concentrations were higher in the salt group than in the control group. Oral salt supplementation was effective to lessen body mass loss and increase serum electrolyte concentration during a real half-ironman.
authors: Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Sports Science Institute, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Del Coso
authors: Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Sports Science Institute, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: González-Millán
authors: Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Sports Science Institute, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain.
authors: J J
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4153-5100
authors: JJ
authors: Salinero
authors: Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Sports Science Institute, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Abián-Vicén
authors: Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Sports Science Institute, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Areces
authors: Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Sports Science Institute, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Lledó
authors: Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Sports Science Institute, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Lara
authors: Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Sports Science Institute, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Gallo-Salazar
authors: Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Sports Science Institute, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Ruiz-Vicente
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013542:Sweat / Q000737:chemistry; D013546:Sweating / Q000187:drug effects; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride; D012964:Sodium
keywords: Sodium; endurance exercise; hydration; hyponatremia; sweat; thirst