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Dehydration is caused by the massive loss of the water from the human body for many reasons including excessive exercise; this has the ability that can make it a challenge for an athlete to maintain or experience normal body functions. Water is a major part of blood composition; thus, it is vital to maintain a heathy amount of the blood in the body. The strenuous activities athletes endure during training workouts and competition can be unhealthy for the athletes, since they have the potential to lose part of their blood component due to dehydration.

The proper amount of water in the body helps regulate the body temperature through the various body parts, including the liver and muscles; dehydration contributes to poor regulation standards that affect the body functions. Because the human body has many muscles in the; it is essential for muscle movements. Reduced and low levels of water in the human body leaves the muscle tissues dry. One of the major effects of dehydration is on the muscles in the body; muscle function may be limited in their performance and endurance.

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

Numerous athletes endure strenuous physical activities for prolonged durations which has the ability to influence the daily functions of the athlete’s body; loss of water and electrolytes alter normal body functions. The participation in strenuous training activities results in higher body temperatures which influences the rate of sweating, loss of bodily fluids, and higher body temperature (Wright, Collins, & Schwellnus, 2009). It is critical that all athletes understand the results of the exercises and the pressure that they put on their bodies during intensive training exercises and pushing them to perform as well. (Finn & Wood, 2004), explained that it is essential for athletes to read and understand their bodies because failure to do the same might result in the collapse of some of the body functions (2004). It has been proven that at the end of some of the vigorous activities or the demanding sports, some of the participants have the tendency to collapse or faint; in some serious cases death may result.

Athletes should always start with lower impact exercises before starting to intensify their workouts, forcing their bodies to adapt too quickly to extreme exercise, and pushing body functions to extremes. The body also has to have time to adjust to performance and endurance levels that make it easier to withstand the dehydration and how to adjust and behave during such extreme situations (Goulet & Hoffman, 2019). The possibility of being successful in an upcoming sporting competition is very slim when training starts the day of or the week or two before the competition. The body will need time to adjust and adapt for the competition in order to perform at high levels; without proper training will cause the athlete to push their body past it’s limits resulting in collapse or failure in body parts. It is evident that majority of the professional boxers such as Anthony Joshua, professional basketball players such as Lebron James, and many other athletes have to train throughout the calendar year to ensure their bodies have the endurance necessary for their bodies are prepared to be pushed to their highest potential. Success cannot be done on high levels limiting their training schedule for periods right before competition. Most boxers normally to have one or two matches in a calendar year because of the intensity of the competition, the extreme training required to perform at a high level, and the energy that they will need to exert during such activities (Mckenna & Gillum, 2017). The competitors have to train their bodies, starting with minimal routines at the gyms before following up with intense routines that push their productivity. Among other thing, research proves that dehydration can be a major problem for athletes; it is their bodies’ way of telling them to respect its operations or they will have to live with the consequences. According to Love, Baker, Healey & Black (2018), numerous sportsmen have short-lived careers because their bodies are exhausted due to the constant rigorous training and limit stretching during competition; the average tenure is between three to five years, depending on the sport. Athletes like Usain Bolt, 3-time Olympian, world record holder and multiple medal winner and Allison Felix, 5-time Olympian and multiple medal winner, are few and far between because of the physical demand on the body. Improper hydration can also be a cause of an athlete’s career to be short lived. Constant limit testing and pushing, completing extreme training exercises to test those limits, and not properly hydrating, when necessary, can break the athlete’s body down earlier than expected; it may even cause unforeseen injury or prolong recovery times.

CHAPTER 3

WATER AND ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCES

An athlete is considered dehydrated when they experience a loss of more than 2% of their body weight through extreme exercise and medical issues resulting from that exercise, such as vomiting and diarrhea; dehydration may result in numerous health issues and physical challenges. Some of the consequences are immediate, while others occur over the long term. The reduction in the body’s weight through water loss causes imbalances in the electrolytes; this is a cause for major problems, and the effects are immediate. The athlete may experience the consequences during the strenuous activities. Finn and Wood (2004) completed studies that proved that most athletes in the studies are at a state of dehydration when beginning the training exercise or competitive sport; the athletes are not properly hydrated from the beginning causing them to reach the point of dehydration quickly. The human body is made up of water, approximately 60% on average for an adult, and the majority of all the bodily functions depend on water; because of this necessity, water is essential for high performance and desired outcomes. During their physical activities, researchers indicate that athletes lose large amounts of water that results in heavier blood which limits blood flow through the body’s systems. To combat this condition, the body has to hyperventilates by raising the blood vessels close to the skin surface to help initiate sweating and reduce the high temperatures within the body (Suvi, Mooses, Timpmann, Medijainen, Narõškina &, Ööpik, 2018). Research shows that the loss of numerous amounts of water is not appropriate for an individual especially when they are pushing their bodies pass normal limitations building the endurance necessary to compete at the highest level possible and win.

When there is a large and/or swift reduction in the body’s water; there is a good indication that various nutrients and minerals required in the body are also low. The deficiencies make it difficult for the bodily functions; not to mention a reduction in the athlete’s desired training result. The mineral balance has a direct effect on the contracting functions of the body, such as the skeletal muscles (Guyton, 1996). When the body loses large quantities of water, it also loses other electrolytes, such as calcium and sodium. Many electrolytes dictate how well the body functions on a daily basis. The bodily functions are altered due the minimum electrolytes in the body. Sodium, for instance, is vital in cognitive behavior including the memory retrieval and attention span features. The athletes will develop problems in these areas when they fail to properly hydrate their bodies for the tasks they are completing within ample time and losing the electrolytes. The athletes can take supplements to help initiate the production of electrolytes within a short duration and to sustain their performance in their competitions, without losing their normal functions. Something as simple as a sport drink or hydration booster placed in their water can combat this condition.

CHAPTER 4

INCREASE RISK OF NAUSEA, VOMITING, DIARRHEA, AND GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS

Some athletes, whether during their training exercises at the gym or during the competitions, tend vomit or even collapse. A problem that can result from severe dehydration; this is the athlete’s body signaling that there is a problem within the body’s functions. It may be evident in some cases that the lack of water will force an athlete to begin to lose control over their general gastrointestinal system. All of the body’s functions require water, including but not limited to digestion and breathing; it is important to embrace a positive habit of drinking water and eating food that contribute to hydration. A decrease in the normal amount of water contained in the human body will result in dehydration. Athletes take part in strenuous activities that draws on the body’s water from the muscles and the other body parts and organs that then hinder proper functioning. Apostu, M. (2014) said that an individual that participates in moderate activities and in moderate environments require 1500-2000 milters of water a day.

The lack of water in the body can results in nausea. Nausea has the tendency to trigger vomiting and sometimes diarrhea, which in return worsens the dehydration; this is a direct result of the initial lack of water in the body and the immense amounts of water through water excretion through vomiting and diarrhea (Georgescu, de Souza Junior, Behrens, Barros, Bueno, Utter, & McAnulty, 2017).

Properly hydrating prior to training for an event and before competing in an event should be taken into consideration, because it will ensure that the body is performing at its optimal level and prevent the body from succumbing to the extreme effects of dehydration, such as nausea. Research proves that the dehydration is a problem; numerous people have the tendency to fall victim to the consequences of dehydration during physical activity. The brain triggers nausea as a defense mechanism in attempts to notify the individual that their body is not performing, which makes it a challenge to increase productivity (Love, Baker, Healey, & Black, 2018). Dehydration is a major problem that influences body function and performance. The potential outcome rank from minimal to extreme, from decreased ability to train to failure during competitions, and even to illnesses, from nausea and vomit, even to the point of collapse.

Reduction in Blood Volume

Hypohydration refers to the situation where the body has dropped below and the normal amounts of water to below the normal functional standards. Murray explained that dehydration is not healthy because water makes up approximately 60% of the entire human body; this implies that it is critical in ensuring that the body is operating in normal conditions (Murray, 1996). Dehydration is a challenge for athletes because it forces the limitations of the body’s performance which also influences the blood level and thickness in the body. Blood is affected severely by dehydration because it is made mostly of water. The strenuous activities on the track and/or at the gym cause a challenge to maintain the blood level, especially when not properly hydrating. The concept of hypohydration focuses on the body’s daily water requirements and implies that a shortage results in the reduction of the blood level.

Water makes up 92% of the human blood which accounts for a large amount of that bodily fluid, with this information, which leaves one to surmise that athletes must ensure they maintain appropriate water levels. Completing strenuous activities and participating in competitions causing the athlete to sweat and muscles strain which demands numerous amounts of water. The blood volume will definitely reduce because when athletes participant in activities they perspire to the extent that they will not have more water loss. This causes a reduction in the water in the blood. Sport science professionals indicate that it is vital for an individual to consume large amounts of water, more than the daily recommended amounts, before, after, and during training exercises in order to maintain the level amounts while they are losing hydration; this ensures that their bodies maintain appropriate hydration (Murray & Kenney, 2016).

Increases Rate of Glycogen Consumption

The body of an athlete is a major hub of numerous ongoing activities, make it imperative for them to consume high energy and foods rich in natural sugars which help maintain their sugar levels. The glycogen is essential for the performance of athletes because it is responsible for triggering energy production. Sufficient energy production guarantees proper energy levels for training or outcomes during the competitions. Sportsman lose large amounts of water during physical activities, as a result, the body starts to burn up the reserve water in the blood and muscles (Chycki, Kurylas, Maszczyk, Goals, & Zajac, 2018). The consequences of losing the muscle sugars and water are a breakdown in the muscles. The body stores glycogen after breaking them down during the digestion process. It acts as the reserve preventing starvation and dehydration. The body will intensify its consumption of glycogen during dehydration when attempting to find alternatives to prevent the other body functions from collapse.

Increased Core Temperature (Hyperthermia)

The increase in core temperatures is a result of the body’s attempt to regulate its functions; the body has to go to extensive measures in order to reduce the temperatures. Carlton, A. and Orr, R. (2015), said that the temperature and humidity of the environment is important due to the amount of nutrients that are in the body. During intensive exercises the athlete’s body embarks on the process of cutting back the sugars in the muscles so as to cope with the demand. The body is consuming large amounts to help produce enough energy to maintain the normal functions and the strains that causes challenge for the athlete’s productivity. It can be evident that the increase of heat is a result of dehydration; athletes have to ensure that they are working toward growth. Dehydration poses a problem because it has the capabilities to limit the outcomes of the athlete’s condition and desired results. It is imperative for athletes to find solutions to combat hyperthermia.

The Decrease in Blood Flow

Dehydration results in poor blood flow because there is a reduction of plasma when the body is experiencing dehydration. The plasma composition is mainly water. One can imply that an individual taking part in intense aerobic exercises or training are likely to experience slowed blood flow. The reduction in the blood plasma indicates that the blood does not have enough water which leaves the blood rich in the other components in its composition, such as the blood cells. The low water concentrated blood makes it a challenge for the individual to maintain normal functions because there is a lack of oxygen transported in the blood (Wright, Collins, & Schwellnus, 2009). Because the blood will flow slower than normal through the body, consequences such as fainting, may result due to the blood failing to timely reach the brain leaving the individual hyperventilating. Slow blood flow is not appropriate for any individual, especially those exposing themselves to laborious exercises. These athletes with low blood flow are vulnerable to strokes and other heart-related complications.

Blood thicker due to dehydration will not get to all the body parts within the normal rates because there is a lack the normal amount of water, which is strenuous to the heart. The heart has to maintain the same pressure to pump the blood through to the various parts of the body, the furthest being the brain and legs (Apostu, 2014). The act of pumping thicker blood is challenging for the heart, which might result in heart complications. Numerous athletes develop heart-related complications because they exposed their hearts to harsh strains because they remained in active exercise or competition while being inadequately hydrated. The competitors could face consequences of their actions later in their lives; not only due to, their body’s natural deterioration but also from the deterioration caused by the results of training during their athletic careers. Dehydration is always a major condition for athletes to monitor. For this reason, it is important that they observe the best bodily functions possible without continued exposure to the effects that can be caused by repeat dehydration. By allowing their bodies to constantly experience extreme conditions, athletes may pay for the abuse cause by their workouts in a later stage of their lives.

CHAPTER 5

RESULTS

Impaired Concentration

Dehydration limits the brain activity that controls the function responsible for headaches, resulting in poor physical performances, and irritability. Many people that experience dehydration fail to maintain performance at the highest levels, because of the lack of hydration prohibiting normal body and brain functions; barring them from processing information related to their sport quickly. Studies show that high environmental temperatures and relative humidity cause stress on the body making it harder to concentrate (Zhao, Lorenzo, Feng, Lai, & Cui, 2013). Low levels of concentration may result in injuries or poor outcomes. Dehydration is responsible for brain impairment because any slight deterrence from the normal body functions makes it a challenge for the brain to maintain its cognitive functions.

Fatigue

For a human that is actively participating in life, without a regular exercises regiment, the body has lost approximately 2-3% of their total fluid percentage in the body when they feel thirsty. Using this rationale, one can imply that the body is at a strain when one is feeling thirsty. According to, Carlton, A. and Orr, R (2015), physical activity induces dehydration. The mere thirst results in lagging and implies that one is tired. The more the physical activities are strenuous the larger the tendency for the thirst to result in a worsened body condition. The individual bodies have to make sure that they have to maintain the other routines that are not appropriate. Dehydration plays a major role in when the individual will feel like they want to quit because it burns up most of the body water in the blood and the muscles. The muscles undergo the aerobic and anaerobic respiration processes that break down the nutrients in storage and thus continue draining water that results in fatigue, and this influences the general performance of an athlete.

Cramps, Spasms, and Soreness

The body is at its optimum performance level during exercise, and it is burning through the muscles and the reserve energies; it can be implied that the muscles in the body will tend to overwork themselves. The process results in soreness in the muscles because the athlete is constantly pushing and working to make sure that they work towards their increase; while in a state of dehydration, there is not enough water in the muscles. At this stage there is a challenge for the body to obtain proper functioning or continue exercising; because of the limited oxygen remaining in the muscles. Once the point of dehydration is reached and the individual continues to work out and push the muscles they are confronted with a challenge. This challenge is getting a sufficient oxygen supply in the blood that is already heavy due to the loss of water. Carlton, A. & Orr, R (2015), implying that fluid loss is common in everyday life because the physical activities that human participate in every day can also cause dehydration.

The fact that the body has to protect itself and ensure that the core parts and functions keep taking place has to induce some practices such as the spasms. The spasms are involuntary contractions of muscles that are typically harmless and temporarily, but can be painful. They occur after straining the muscles, and this might be a result of dehydration because they occur after there are maximum strains and use of the muscles (Casa, 2018). The muscles become sore and cramp because of the exercises and the poor hydration due to limited amounts of water in the body which influence the outcome of the athlete.

Decreased Rates of Sweating

Sweat is an essential body activity which helps the body remove toxins and excess urea in the body. Because the athletes take part in intense exercises their bodies have to exfoliate. Research indicates that an individual loses approximately 95% of water in their sweat which is important for heat regulation; which emphasizes how serious dehydration issues can be to athletes and how important it is that athletes address it before embarking on their sports activities (Murray & Kenney, 2016). The hydration process is essential much like eating the proper diet, because proper hydration is way that the body regulates the amount of hydration necessary for the bodily functions to perform properly. The body cleans the blood through proper kidney function, complete with excretion from sweat gland, the urea, through sweating and from the renal system by urinating. This process is important because it removes the liquid waste materials in the body. Dehydration can create major problem because the performers will not sweat to remove toxins and will push the body to the extreme without removing waste which will limit their performance.

The human body temperature cools down during sweating and the internal organs can cool with the aid of aeration due to the heat lost through sweating. Trangmar & González-Alonso explained that heat exhaustion and heat strokes are the results of poor heat regulation and which affect athletes if they are experiencing dehydration (2019). Reducing heat through sweating is important; without this measure, the higher body temperatures will limit the performance of the internal organs amongst other body functions. The continuous experience of the problem might result in less than desired athlete performance because of the physical impairments it may cause. The athletes will start feeling the pressure of their activities which can decrease their performance causing the athlete to push for higher performance standards. The athletes taking part in marathons and boxing matches will experience low performances because their bodies are not regulating well causing unwanted fatigue.

CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSION

Dehydration has numerous effects on the human body that can hamper the body’s ability to function properly. Dehydration causes water and electrolyte imbalances in the human body, increases the risk of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal problems. Dehydration may result in a reduction in blood volume, an increase in the rate of glycogen consumption, an increase in core temperature (hyperthermia), a decrease in blood flow. Athletes that are experiencing dehydration may also experience impaired concentration, fatigue, cramps, spasms, and soreness.

Dehydration is a major hindrance to all athletes taking part in sports training and competition. Being dehydrated make athletes vulnerable to experience the consequences of having lower levels of water in the blood such as: incidences of headaches, irritability, poor concentration levels. These consequences all result from irregular levels of electrolytes. Dehydrated athletes are predisposed to these consequences and conditions if they do not hydrate according to the recommended standards.

Up to 60% of the human body is made up of water. Therefore, water and proper hydration is essential to the health of the human body. Athletes can avoid becoming dehydrated before, during, and after training and competition by avoiding foods that naturally dehydrate the body, drinking the appropriate amounts of water, replenishing electrolytes, and even using hydration booster in the water that they drink. Taking these hydration practices seriously are important to the health and well-being of the athlete.

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