Skip to content

Study note

The effect of glycerol and desmopressin on exercise performance and hydration in triathletes.

PMID 9710867 (1998): hydration, fluid — Time to exhaustion, Performance in heat, Cramp risk (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Jul 22, 2026

Read the study note

Study note • PMID 9710867

The effect of glycerol and desmopressin on exercise performance and hydration in triathletes.

Medicine and science in sports and exercise1998 • DOI 10.1097/00005768-199808000-00013

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: controlled study.
  • 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

BACKGROUND: Hydration is an important determinant of athletic performance, and glycerol-containing solutions have been demonstrated to produce a state of hyperhydration. (controlled study; triathletes).

The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Time to exhaustion under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: BACKGROUND: Hydration is an important determinant of athletic performance, and glycerol-containing solutions have been demonstrated to produce a state of hyperhydration.
  • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Time to exhaustion under the tested conditions.
  • Population: triathletes.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 60 min • 2 min.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: hydration, fluid.
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 60 min • 2 min.
  • Outcomes: Time to exhaustion, Performance in heat, Cramp risk.
  • 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 (triathletes) working on hydration.
  • Athletes who can measure Time to exhaustion, Performance in heat, Cramp risk 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: controlled study.
  • Population: triathletes.
  • Outcomes measured: Time to exhaustion, Performance in heat, Cramp risk.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 60 min • 2 min.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 9710867 (1998) — Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

There was a significant difference in reduction in body mass between DDAVP and control (P < 0.05) but no change in sweat volume.

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).
  • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

Adaptive AI coach for iPhone

Meet your adaptive AI coach.

Tell your coach what you are training for. It builds the plan, follows the work you complete, and adapts upcoming training when recovery, your schedule, or real life changes.

Keep going

Sources