Sodium Supplementation and Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia during Prolonged Exercise
Martin D Hoffman1, Kristin J Stuempfle
11Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Veterans Affairs, Northern California Health Care System, and University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA; and 2Health Sciences Department, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|January 1, 2015
Summary
Overhydration, not low sodium intake, is the primary cause of hyponatremia in endurance athletes. Avoiding excessive fluid intake is key to preventing this condition during prolonged exercise.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Endurance Sports
Background:
- Hyponatremia is a potential risk for endurance athletes during prolonged exercise.
- The role of sodium supplementation in preventing hyponatremia is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the importance of sodium supplementation in preventing hyponatremia during exercise up to 30 hours.
- To identify characteristics distinguishing athletes who develop hyponatremia.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of body weight changes, postrace questionnaires on fluid and sodium intake, and serum sodium concentration in ultramarathon runners.
- Data collected from participants of the Western States Endurance Run.
Main Results:
- Hyponatremia incidence was 6.6% among finishers, with 93.9% using sodium supplements.
- Serum sodium concentration correlated positively with sodium intake and negatively with body weight change.
- No significant difference in sodium intake or body weight loss was found between hyponatremic and normonatremic runners.
Conclusions:
- Low sodium intake from supplements is not the primary cause of hyponatremia in prolonged exercise.
- Overhydration is the main characteristic of athletes developing hyponatremia.
- Preventing overhydration is crucial for mitigating hyponatremia risk in endurance events.
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