Sex differences in the physiological responses to exercise-induced dehydration: Consequences and mechanisms
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Sex differences in the physiological responses to exercise-induced dehydration: Consequences and mechanisms. / Wickham, Kate Aiko; McCarthy, Devin G; Spriet, Lawrence L; Cheung, Stephen S.
In: Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol. 131, No. 2, 2021, p. 504-510.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Sex differences in the physiological responses to exercise-induced dehydration: Consequences and mechanisms
AU - Wickham, Kate Aiko
AU - McCarthy, Devin G
AU - Spriet, Lawrence L
AU - Cheung, Stephen S
N1 - Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2021 the American Physiological Society.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Physiological strain during exercise is increased by mild dehydration (~1%–3% body mass loss). This response may be sex-dependent, but there are no direct comparative data in this regard. This review aimed to develop a framework for future research by exploring the potential impact of sex on thermoregulatory and cardiac strain associated with exercise-induced dehydration. Sex-based comparisons were achieved by comparing trends from studies that implemented similar experimental protocols but recruited males and females separately. This revealed a higher core temperature (Tc) in response to exercise-induced dehydration in both sexes; however, it seemingly occurred at a lower percent body mass loss in females. Although less clear, similar trends existed for cardiac strain. The average female may have a lower body water volume per body mass compared with males, and therefore the same percent body mass loss between the sexes may represent a larger portion of total body water in females potentially posing a greater physiological strain. In addition, the rate at which Tc increases at exercise onset might be faster in females and induce a greater thermoregulatory challenge earlier into exercise. The Tc response at exercise onset is associated with lower sweating rates in females, which is commonly attributed to sex differences in metabolic heat production. However, a reduced sweat gland sensitivity to stimuli, lower fluid output per sweat gland, and sex hormones promoting fluid retention in females may also contribute. In conclusion, the limited evidence suggests that sex-based differences exist in thermoregulatory and cardiac strain associated with exercise-induced dehydration, and this warrants future investigations.
AB - Physiological strain during exercise is increased by mild dehydration (~1%–3% body mass loss). This response may be sex-dependent, but there are no direct comparative data in this regard. This review aimed to develop a framework for future research by exploring the potential impact of sex on thermoregulatory and cardiac strain associated with exercise-induced dehydration. Sex-based comparisons were achieved by comparing trends from studies that implemented similar experimental protocols but recruited males and females separately. This revealed a higher core temperature (Tc) in response to exercise-induced dehydration in both sexes; however, it seemingly occurred at a lower percent body mass loss in females. Although less clear, similar trends existed for cardiac strain. The average female may have a lower body water volume per body mass compared with males, and therefore the same percent body mass loss between the sexes may represent a larger portion of total body water in females potentially posing a greater physiological strain. In addition, the rate at which Tc increases at exercise onset might be faster in females and induce a greater thermoregulatory challenge earlier into exercise. The Tc response at exercise onset is associated with lower sweating rates in females, which is commonly attributed to sex differences in metabolic heat production. However, a reduced sweat gland sensitivity to stimuli, lower fluid output per sweat gland, and sex hormones promoting fluid retention in females may also contribute. In conclusion, the limited evidence suggests that sex-based differences exist in thermoregulatory and cardiac strain associated with exercise-induced dehydration, and this warrants future investigations.
KW - Cardiovascular
KW - Heart rate
KW - Sex hormones
KW - Sweat
KW - Thermoregulation
U2 - 10.1152/japplphysiol.00266.2021
DO - 10.1152/japplphysiol.00266.2021
M3 - Review
C2 - 34197234
AN - SCOPUS:85113621702
VL - 131
SP - 504
EP - 510
JO - Journal of Applied Physiology
JF - Journal of Applied Physiology
SN - 8750-7587
IS - 2
ER -
ID: 306290300