Gatorade funds TCU kinesiology study analyzing sodium among athletes

Fort Worth, TX

5/22/2007

By Evan Vanderbilt
Schieffer School of Journalism

TCU's kinesiology department received a $19,000 grant from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute. The grant will provide support for an in-depth lab study that allows TCU to use human subjects to participate in research that will examine how sodium levels in high performance athletes are affected by extensive exercise under high outdoor temperatures.

This is the second time Gatorade has contributed funding to kinesiology research projects at TCU. Gatorade has also contributed smaller grants for more than six independent research studies aiding graduate research at TCU.

Dr. Mitchell, chair of the kinesiology department, is directing this study with the assistance of six other faculty members and several TCU kinesiology graduate students. Kimberly Hubing, a kinesiology master's degree student, will be using this study as part of her thesis project.

The TCU study surrounding the sodium balance issues affecting athletes developed after the Hotter 'N' Hell 100 cycling event which took place in the blistering summer heat of Wichita Falls, Texas, in August 2006. The event is one of the nation's most popular 100-mile cycling events attracting more than 9,000 cyclists.

Dr. Mitchell and several of his TCU colleagues were stationed at a medical tent that provided care for riders experiencing a variety of ailments. At the tent, Dr. Mitchell analyzed the sodium levels of riders who appeared to be suffering from hydration problems by using a portable sodium analyzer.

"Because of the extreme 100-degree-plus temperatures, we had to keep the portable analyzer in a cooler full of ice in order for it to function properly," Dr. Mitchell said.

The new lab study conducted will provide accurate scientific data explaining the sodium control mechanisms that can contribute to problematic sodium imbalances among athletes.

"By the implementation of various controls on the participants, we can accurately monitor their progression throughout the course of the study," Dr. Mitchell said.

The group of 10-12 participants in this study will primarily include highly trained cyclists and tri-athletes selected from a variety of off-campus organizations and clubs. Each participant will complete four trials, each consisting of one hour of intense exercise in the heat followed by a three-hour rehydration recovery period.

Participants will be continually monitored throughout this process during the next several months. Information gathered through these trials will include blood sampling, sweat and repertory variation measurements and sodium concentrations. Also, ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) measurements will reveal how the body responds to the re-absorption of fluids.

"We hope to have half of the study completed by the end of the summer and expect that it will concluded in the fall of 2007," Dr. Mitchell said.

For more information on the study, contact Dr. Mitchell at j.mitchell@tcu.edu.


Media contact:
Shawn Kornegay
Asst. director of communications
817-257-5061
s.kornegay@tcu.edu