Comparison of Sports Drink Versus Oral Rehydration Solution During Exercise in the Heat

This study compared 2 commercially available beverages, an oral rehydration solution (ORS; 60.9 mM Na⁺; 3.4% carbohydrate) and a sports drink (SDS; 18.4 mM Na+; 5.9% carbohydrate), on hydration and metabolism during submaximal exercise in the heat.

Ten male subjects completed two 90-min exercise trials (39ºC, 30%) of walking at 50% VO_2max followed by a 30-min rest period in the heat while wearing wildland firefighter personal protective clothing. After 45 min of exercise, fluid delivery by either ORS or SDS replaced 150% of sweat loss. Subjects continued the exercise for 45 additional minutes followed by a 30-min rest period. Blood samples were collected pre-exercise (0 min), post-exercise (90 min), and post-trial (120 min) to measure plasma volume (%) and blood glucose (mg·dL^-1). Expired gases were collected twice for 3 min for substrate oxidation.

The sweat rate and percent dehydration did not differ between the groups (P=0.86 and P=0.79, respectively). Changes in plasma volume did not differ (P=0.55). Hemoglobin levels significantly increased in both groups post-trial (P=0.009). Blood glucose was significantly greater post-trial in SDS versus ORS (116±19 vs 103±13 mg·dL^-1, respectively; P=0.01). Fat oxidation was lower post-exercise in SDS vs ORS (0.38±0.1 vs 0.47±0.2 g·min^-1, respectively; P=0.049).

These data indicate no difference in fluid retention between ORS or SDS when supplemented during exercise in the heat. This implies that fluid volume, and not drink contents, may be more important when ingested during exercise in a hot environment.