Effects of water intake on biochemical parameters and performance during resistance exercise

Abstract

The study aims to determine whether water intake during resistance training impacts the amounts of potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) and to identify the effects of the reactions of these minerals on performance. Ten male university students aged between 20 and 23 participated in the study. The participants did five different previously-determined resistance exercises (3 sets of 8RM). During the training program, the participants did the resistance exercises by not consuming water in the first week and consuming water in the second week. (Pre-exercise and exercise days routine food and fluid intake was maintained, fluid intake restriction was applied only during exercise) The participants’ weight, body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, systolic and diastolic pressure, lactate, Borg scale ratings, and K+, Na+, Mg, and Ca were determined before and after the exercises. Training volume was recorded. Performing the exercises without water intake produced a significant increase in K+. During the exercises done with water intake, there was a significant increase in Na+. No statistical differences were determined in the volume of exercise done with and without water intake. The study shows that water intake during high-intensity resistance training does not have any effect on the volume of exercise. In addition, the changes in Na+ and K+ parameters do not affect the volume of exercise. Although loss of minerals is statistically significant in exercise without water, it is understood that the total amount of minerals lost is not enough to induce a physiological change or a performance change in the total resistance training volume. Water, regardless of the volume and intensity of exercise, promotes balance of metabolism and prevents performance degradation that can occur during sport events (Murray et al., 1991). For this reason, water should be consumed not only in sports activities but also in daily activities.