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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2011 Nov;106(10):1535-43.
doi: 10.1017/S0007114511002005. Epub 2011 Jun 7.

Mild dehydration impairs cognitive performance and mood of men

Matthew S Ganio  1 , Lawrence E Armstrong, Douglas J Casa, Brendon P McDermott, Elaine C Lee, Linda M Yamamoto, Stefania Marzano, Rebecca M Lopez, Liliana Jimenez, Laurent Le Bellego, Emmanuel Chevillotte, Harris R Lieberman
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Mild dehydration impairs cognitive performance and mood of men

Matthew S Ganio et al. Br J Nutr. 2011 Nov.

Abstract

The present study assessed the effects of mild dehydration on cognitive performance and mood of young males. A total of twenty-six men (age 20·0 (sd 0·3) years) participated in three randomised, single-blind, repeated-measures trials: exercise-induced dehydration plus a diuretic (DD; 40 mg furosemide); exercise-induced dehydration plus placebo containing no diuretic (DN); exercise while maintaining euhydration plus placebo (EU; control condition). Each trial included three 40 min treadmill walks at 5·6 km/h, 5 % grade in a 27·7°C environment. A comprehensive computerised six-task cognitive test battery, the profile of mood states questionnaire and the symptom questionnaire (headache, concentration and task difficulty) were administered during each trial. Paired t tests compared the DD and DN trials resulting in >1 % body mass loss (mean 1·59 (sd 0·42) %) with the volunteer's EU trial (0·01 (sd 0·03) %). Dehydration degraded specific aspects of cognitive performance: errors increased on visual vigilance (P = 0·048) and visual working memory response latency slowed (P = 0·021). Fatigue and tension/anxiety increased due to dehydration at rest (P = 0·040 and 0·029) and fatigue during exercise (P = 0·026). Plasma osmolality increased due to dehydration (P < 0·001) but resting gastrointestinal temperature was not altered (P = 0·238). In conclusion, mild dehydration without hyperthermia in men induced adverse changes in vigilance and working memory, and increased tension/anxiety and fatigue.

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