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Study note

Fluid and electrolyte balance in ultra-endurance sport.

PMID 11547892 (2001): hydration, fluid — Time to exhaustion, Performance in heat, Cramp risk, Time-trial performance (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Jul 22, 2026

Read the study note

Study note • PMID 11547892

Fluid and electrolyte balance in ultra-endurance sport.

Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)2001 • DOI 10.2165/00007256-200131100-00001

How to use this page

This note summarizes one study record. Check the participants, methods, results, and limitations before applying it to training.

  • Design signal: review.
  • Population relevance: athlete/trained context.
  • Consistency: single-study evidence.
  • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.

ELI5

In plain language

It is well known that fluid and electrolyte balance are critical to optimal exercise performance and, moreover, health maintenance. (review; athletes).

In this review, the abstract is mixed or unclear for Performance in heat, Time-trial performance. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: It is well known that fluid and electrolyte balance are critical to optimal exercise performance and, moreover, health maintenance.
  • In this review, the abstract is mixed or unclear for Performance in heat, Time-trial performance.
  • Population: athletes.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 3 hours.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: hydration, fluid.
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 3 hours.
  • Outcomes: Time to exhaustion, Performance in heat, Cramp risk, Time-trial performance.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it may help, and who should be cautious

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (athletes) working on hydration.
  • Athletes who can measure Time to exhaustion, Performance in heat, Cramp risk, Time-trial performance with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should be cautious

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: review.
  • Population: athletes.
  • Outcomes measured: Time to exhaustion, Performance in heat, Cramp risk, Time-trial performance.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 3 hours.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 11547892 (2001) — Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.).

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

If insufficient fluids are taken during exercise, sodium is necessary in the recovery period to reduce the urinary output and increase the rate of restoration of fluid balance.

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations and bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Reviews and consensus statements mix protocols and populations; recommendations may not match your exact constraints.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

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