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Exercise-induced dehydration does not impair cognitive performance in naturally menstruating women
Meg A Doohan1,2, Neil King1, Melanie J White3
1School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
Temperature (Austin, Tex.)
|January 22, 2026
Summary
This study found that cognitive performance in menstruating females remained resilient despite significant dehydration and heat during exercise. Cognitive functions like executive function were largely unaffected by these physiological stressors.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Physiology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Research on physiological responses to heat and dehydration has historically overlooked female physiology.
- Understanding sex-specific responses is crucial given increased female participation in physically demanding roles and activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of combined exercise-induced hyperthermia and dehydration on cognitive performance in naturally menstruating females.
- To assess executive functions including cognitive inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility under thermal and dehydration stress.
Main Methods:
- Twelve recreationally trained females in their mid-luteal phase underwent two conditions: dehydrated (no fluid) and hydrated (fluid replacement).
- Participants cycled in a 40°C, 20% humidity environment for three 45-minute bouts.
- Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Parametric Go/No-Go (PGNG), Corsi Block Tapping (CBT), and Classic Stroop tasks.
Main Results:
- Physiological markers indicated significant dehydration in the DEHY condition (body mass loss: -3.57 kg, serum osmolality: 299 mOsm·kg⁻¹).
- Contrary to hypotheses, cognitive performance across most tasks was not significantly impaired by dehydration and heat.
- Slower reaction times were observed in the hydrated condition for the PGNG task, but overall cognitive function remained largely preserved.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive performance in menstruating females demonstrates significant resilience to combined exercise-induced dehydration and thermal stress.
- These findings highlight the robustness of executive functions under challenging environmental and physiological conditions.
- This research contributes to a better understanding of sex-specific physiological and cognitive responses to environmental stressors.
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