Effects of exercise-induced hypohydration on human athletic performance, cognitive functions and brain hemodynamics: systematic mini review


Uylas E., Zengin N., Futsi D., Mancı E., GÜDÜCÜ Ç., GÜNAY E.

Sport Sciences for Health, 2025 (ESCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11332-025-01503-w
  • Dergi Adı: Sport Sciences for Health
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, SportDiscus
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Aerobic capacity, Cerebral hemodynamics, Cognition, Endurance, Hypohydration, Neuromuscular performance
  • Manisa Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Purpose: The purpose of the present review was to highlight changes in human athletic performance, cognitive function, and brain hemodynamics associated with exercise and heat induced fluid loss of ~ 1–3%. Hypohydration is the most common aspect of dehydration. Although the impacts of dehydration on human athletic performance, cognition and cerebral blood flow have been widely discussed, immediate effects of mild or moderate hypohydration are not clearly understood. Methods: A database literature search was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus. The studies published between 2013 and 2025 were explored in these databases. The selected studies were included in the PRISMA diagram after the screening and exclusion processes. Results: Thus, 594 studies were found in the initial screening. After the inclusion criteria were met, 21 studies were examined. Conclusion: Mild or moderate hypohydration led to disturbances in human athletic performance, muscle power output, endurance, and neuromuscular system, as well as cerebral hemodynamics and cognitive functions. Moderate hypohydration was found to be associated with increased prefrontal hemodynamic responses, which might be an indicator of impaired neuronal efficiency. Also, the alterations in cerebral hemodynamics were closely linked to exercise type, intensity, and environmental factors.