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Neuropsychological performance, postural stability, and symptoms after dehydration
Akshay V Patel1, Jason P Mihalik, Andrew J Notebaert
1University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Journal of Athletic Training
|June 29, 2007
Summary
Moderate dehydration negatively impacts athletic performance by worsening visual memory and increasing fatigue. While it affects self-reported concussion symptoms, objective measures of cognitive function and balance remain unaffected.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Dehydration and concussion are prevalent concerns in athletic performance.
- Previous research speculates a potential negative influence of dehydration on concussion assessment tests.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of dehydration on signs and symptoms, neuropsychological performance, and postural stability.
- To determine if dehydration impacts objective measures used in concussion evaluation.
Main Methods:
- A repeated-measures design was employed, comparing euhydrated and dehydrated states in 24 male recreational athletes.
- Hydration status was confirmed using urine specific gravity and body mass.
- Assessments included the Standardized Assessment of Concussion, Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM), NeuroCom Sensory Organization Test, Balance Error Scoring System, and Graded Symptom Checklist.
Main Results:
- Dehydration led to significant declines in visual memory and increased self-reported fatigue, as measured by ANAM.
- Subjects in the dehydrated state reported a significantly higher number and severity of symptoms on the Graded Symptom Checklist.
- No significant differences were observed in the Standardized Assessment of Concussion, Balance Error Scoring System, Sensory Organization Test, or composite ANAM scores between hydration conditions.
Conclusions:
- Moderate dehydration (-2.5%) significantly influences self-reported concussion-like symptoms, visual memory, and fatigue.
- Objective neuropsychological and postural stability measures commonly used for concussion assessment were not significantly affected by dehydration.
- These findings highlight the subjective impact of dehydration on athletes' well-being and cognitive function, distinct from objective concussion diagnostics.
