Influence of Dehydration on Internal Body Temperature Changes During Exercise In The Heat: A Meta-Analysis

To systematically review the current literature to determine Delta T per 1% body mass loss (%BML) difference. PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Rehabilitation & Physical Medicine, CINAHL and Cochrane Reviews were searched from inception to March 2011 with limitations on human subjects and English. Key words included: dehydration, dehydrated, hypohydration, hypohydrated, hyperthermia, hyperthermic, core temperature, and core body temperature. Original research articles which met these criteria were included: 1) reported mean and SD of valid T and %BML difference 2) hyperthermia [< or =] 38.9[degrees]C in one trial condition, 3) exercise mode was similar between conditions other than hydration status. Of the 1192 articles retrieved, 281 examined the effects of DHY on T during exercise. Final weighted MD for [degrees]C were (0.54[degrees]C, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.54) and %BML difference (2.45%, 95% CI 2.42 to 2.48). For every 1% BML difference, T increased 0.22[degrees]C during exercise in the heat.