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How cold weather alters fluid and nutritional requirements during exercise. by Edmund R. Burke, Ph.D. Introduction When one studies the animal kingdom, he finds that humans may be described as warm-weather, tropical animals who neither adapt or tolerate cold weather. As we know, however, humans still must work and exercise in such environments. In order to cycle effectively outdoors in the winter and early spring, you need to know how cold affects you and whether it alters your fluid and nutritional requirements during exercise. While cycling, your body is generating 8 to 12 times the heat it would while at [...]

by Lulu Weschler Lulu Weschler is a physical therapist, ultra cyclist and regular contributor to UltraCycling Hyponatremia: How To Recognize, Treat And Prevent It As little as 2% dehydration adversely affects performance[1]. But as little as 2% overhydration can cause life-threatening hyponatremia[2]. Clearly, you need to get your hydration needs just right. Hydration must be coupled with adequate sodium intake; sodium losses can be significant during prolonged exercise[3,4]. Barr et al[3] observed an average loss of 12 g salt in six hours of cycling at 86 degrees F and 30% relative humidity (2 g more than the average US daily [...]