During endurance exercise in the heat athletes lose 1 - 2 l/ h of fluid due to thermoregulatory
sweating. The ensuing dehydration is accompanied by higher and faster increases in
core temperature, which per se can cause fatigue. The main cardiovascular consequences
of combined dehydration and hyperthermia [1 C higher core temperature and 3 - 4 kg
(4 %) body weight loss] are the significant reductions in cardiac output (3 l/min),
muscle blood flow, skin blood flow and blood pressure. Separately, however, hyperthermia
(i.e., 39.3 C) and dehydration do not significantly reduce cardiac output or blood
pressure. In conclusion, the superimposition of dehydration on hyperthermia during
exercise in the heat causes greater alterations in cardiovascular function that make
the dehydrated athlete much less able to cope with hyperthermia.
Key words
Cardiovascular strain - cardiac output - stroke volume - blood pressure
