Hypohydration Impairs Cognition, Technical Ability and Physical Performance in Team Sports: A Review
Year: 2020
Type: review
Abstract: The aims of this literature review is to characterize the impact and mechanisms of hypohydration on cognitive, technical and physical performance in team sports; Performance in many team sports depends on cognitive function (e.g., attention, decision-making, memory and reaction time), execution of sport-specific technical skills (e.g., shooting, passing and dribbling) and high-intensity physical skills (e.g., running, lateral movement, jumping, intermittent high-intensity running). The influence of hydration status has been studied mostly in soccer, basketball and field hockey, with mixed results. Regarding cognitive performance, vigilance, decision-making time, reaction time of working memory or reactive agility were hindered by hypohydration. Regarding technical and physical performance, the results seems to be inconsistent. Studies suggest that 2-4% of hypohydration can impair the performance during basketball shots but has minimum effects in soccer and field hockey. However, it appears that hypohydration impairs cognition, technical ability and physical performance at higher levels of body mass loss (3 to 4%). Impaired performance is also more likely when the dehydration method involves heat stress. The increased subjective classifications of fatigue and perceived exertion consistently accompanied hypohydration and could explain, in part, the performance impairments reported in some studies. Further research is needed to develop valid, reliable and sensitive sport-specific protocols to be used in future studies.
Authors: Mariana Aguiar de Matos, João Lopes, Leonor S. Loureiro, Rute Borrego, Lino Mendes
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3135898121