Nicole Shedd Drinking an ice slurry/water mix helps body cope with exertion in

hot weather

The article, Drinking an ice slurry/water mix helps body cope with exertion in hot
weather, was provided by Elsevier and the University of Montana. Through new
research, it has been demonstrated that there is a unique relationship between fluid
volume and fluid temperature during extensive work in the heat. Typically, the most
well-known way to handle the hot environment is to maintain hydration and beware of
the amount of activity being done in the heat. Also, it is necessary to keep in mind the
longer a person is outside is directly related to the amount of water needed to maintain
the proper amount of hydration to offset the water lost to sweating. While there are
many guidelines on how to avoid dehydration through the consumption of water and
proper amounts of rest, there are no existing recommendations for the best temperature
of the water a person should consume. The research conducted by the University of
Montana was to find the optimal temperature of drinking water after exercise in 88 F
with 50% relative humidity. During the trials, the athletes were given, at random, one of
three treatments: ice slurry (2/3 shaved ice and 1/3 water) at a rate of 2gkg-1 of body
mass; or the ice slurry mixture, but at a reduced rate of 1gkg-1 of body mass. Each
2gkg-1 body weight drink was provided at 10-minute intervals. At first, the results
showed that the ice slurry did just as well as the room temperature water. However,
while a reduced amount of ice slurry was effective as regular water when the ice slurry
was the full portion, the athletes showed an increased improvement of
thermoregulation. This also showed that the temperature of the water and the volume of
the water was just as important to proper thermoregulation.
Thermoregulation is what helps control the body. The body needs to stay
between the temperatures of 97-100F to make sure it is functioning properly. This is
related to exercise physiology by the fact that the body controls the temperature to keep
it in normal range. This is done through many systems that the body has foe each
scenario like sweating or shivering. Therefore, thermoregulation is necessary to cool the
body down and keep the body warm. The body regulates thermoregulation through
metabolism. Without thermoregulation, the body temperature would fluctuate too much
and possibly impair function.
I thought this article was interesting because while working out I prefer cold water
instead of room temperature. Also, in cases when there is no cold water available, many
people say that water is water when temperature of water is actually a key factor to
thermoregulation. However, it is interesting that the temperature depends on the
amount of water consumed. I would need to drink more volume of the ice/slurry mix for
it to have the highest effectiveness. It is practical information for the general public
because everyone needs water to avoid dehydration and overheating. The author of the
article not only put the scientific research behind the study but explained it in terms of
every day language. The information was not oversimplified but able to understand
without having a doctorate in the subject.
Nicole Shedd Drinking an ice slurry/water mix helps body cope with exertion in
hot weather

Copy of Article:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161019122354.htm

Drinking an ice slurry/water mix helps body cope with exertion in hot weather
Date:
October 19, 2016
Source:
Elsevier
Summary:
Temperature of water consumed may be as important as the amount when trying to
manage thermoregulation, indicates new report.
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FULL STORY
New research from the University of Montana demonstrates a unique relationship
between fluid volume and fluid temperature during arduous work in the heat. The study,
published in Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, indicated that an ice slurry/water
mixture was as effective as ambient water even when consumed in half the quantity.
Investigators also emphasized the importance of rest.

"While the common approach to managing health in hot environments centers around
maintaining hydration, limited attention is devoted to managing heat production from
hard work or play," explained lead investigator Brent C. Ruby, PhD, FACSM, Director of
the Montana Center for Work Physiology and Exercise Metabolism, University of
Montana, Missoula. "It should be obvious that as the temperature rises, so does the
body's need for proper fluid intake patterns. This ensures that blood and sweat volume
can be maintained to continually enable heat loss through evaporative cooling (good old
fashioned sweating). However, coaches, trainers, clinicians, medics, and safety officers
continually emphasize the importance of proper hydration without providing sound
guidance and attention to proper management of heat production from the working
muscle. "

Existing research indicates that fluids should be consumed to avoid more than an acute
2% body mass loss (reflecting modest dehydration) that is known to hinder performance
and increase the risk of heat-related injury. Currently, the accepted minimum hydration
rate is 2 grams of water per kilogram of body mass. However, controversy surrounds
the link between moderate lapses in hydration status and risk for heat-related injury.

While these guidelines attempt to dictate how much water should be consumed, there is
no existing recommendation for the optimal temperature of the water. In order to better
Nicole Shedd Drinking an ice slurry/water mix helps body cope with exertion in
hot weather
understand how water temperature influences the body, investigators had subjects
exercise in 88 F air temperatures (with 50% relative humidity) for three hours.

"While these guidelines serve as just that, 'guidelines,' constant access to body weight
scales for repeated measures of nude body weight is impractical for nearly all sport or
occupational settings. Reducing the emphasis on fluid volume, allowing cold fluid
access, and emphasizing the need to rest adequately during the training session or
workshift should become common practice," stated Dr. Ruby.

During the trial, participants were randomly given one of three treatments: ambient
temperature water at a rate of 2gkg-1 of body mass; ice slurry (2/3 shaved ice and 1/3
water) at a rate of 2gkg-1 of body mass; or the ice slurry mixture, but at a reduced rate
of 1gkg-1 of body mass. Each 2gkg-1 body weight drink was provided at 10-minute
intervals.

Several parameters indicating the physiological and thermoregulatory challenge during

the three-hour exercise trials were measured. Investigators found the ice slurry, even at
amounts that resulted in a 2% body mass loss, faired just as well as when subjects
were provided the full amount of room temperature water. "There were no differences in
rectal temperature, heart rate, physiological strain index, skin temperature, sweat loss,
or rating of perceived exertion during three hours of exercise in the heat when
participants were provided half the volume of fluid in the form of the ice slurry in
comparison to ambient temperature water," said Dr. Ruby.

While a reduced amount of ice slurry was just as effective as regular water, when the
ice slurry was provided at the full rate, participants demonstrated significantly improved
thermoregulation. Rectal and skin temperatures, heart rate, and overall all physiological
strain were lower at the end of the exercise period, making the full amount of ice slurry
the most effective liquid for managing thermoregulation and physiological responses.

"We want to emphasize that the temperature of fluids delivered will alter the
physiological and thermoregulatory response during work in the heat. Consuming
ambient temperature water did not improve the physiological or thermoregulatory
responses compared to the one-half volume ice slurry/water mixture," noted Dr. Ruby.

Previous studies have pointed to cold water as being a more effective method of
hydration, but this new information reveals that temperature may be as important as
volume. This means that people exercising or working in very hot conditions may be
able to carry and drink less water if they are able to keep it ice cold. "Military training
and operations, wildland fire suppression, and varied athletic/recreational pursuits
require people to work or exercise in hot environments for extended periods of time.
These activities also mandate the self-transport or frequent resupply of fluid to sustain
performance for the duration of the work shift or event," added Dr. Ruby. "For these
individuals the weight of fluid that must be carried increases the metabolic demand and
subsequent heat production, posing hindrances to completing the job or event."
Nicole Shedd Drinking an ice slurry/water mix helps body cope with exertion in
hot weather
As more people become active outdoors and with temperatures on the rise, it is vital
that we figure out the most effective ways to manage heat stress and remain safe in all
conditions. This new study reveals that consuming an ice slurry mixture may offer
protective effects against heat stress. "Individuals working in hot environments should
be mindful of both the volume and temperature of the fluid they consume," concluded
Dr. Ruby. "Further research should be done to determine impact that exchanging fluid
temperature for fluid volume has on exercise performance."

Story Source:

Materials provided by Elsevier. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference:

Walter S. Hailes, John S. Cuddy, Kyle Cochrane, Brent C. Ruby. Thermoregulation

During Extended Exercise in the Heat: Comparisons of Fluid Volume and Temperature.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016; 27 (3): 386 DOI:
10.1016/j.wem.2016.06.004

Elsevier. "Drinking an ice slurry/water mix helps body cope with exertion in hot
weather." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 October 2016.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161019122354.htm>.