This is to cross-over study to assess the effectiveness of fresh young coconut water (CW), and carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage (CEB) compared with plain water (PW) for whole body rehydration and blood volume (BV) restoration during a 2 h rehydration period following exercise-induced dehydration. Eight healthy male volunteers (mean age and V • O 2max of 22.4 ± 3.3 years and 45.8 ± 1.5 ml min kg -1 respectively) exercised at 60% of V• O 2max in the heat (31.1 ± 0.03°C, 51.4 ± 0.1% rh) until 2.78 ± 0.06% (1.6 ± 0.1 kg) of their body weight (BW) was lost. After exercise, the subjects sat for 2 h in a thermoneutral environment (22.5 ± 0.1°C; 67.0 ± 1.0% rh) and drank a volume of PW, CW and CEB on different occasions representing 120% of the fluid loss. A blood and urine sample, and the body weight of each subject was taken before and after exercise and at 30 min intervals throughout a rehydration period. Each subject remained fasted throughout rehydration. Each fluid was c o n s u m e d i n t h r e e p o r t i o n s i n s e p a r a t e t r i a l s representing 50% (781 ± 47 ml), 40% (625 ± 33 ml) and 30% (469 ± 28 ml) of the 120% fluid loss at 0, 30 and 60 min of the 2 h rehydration period, respectively. The drinks given were randomised. In all the trials the subjects were somewhat hypohydrated (range 0.08-0.18 kg BW below euhydrated BW; p>0.05) after a 2 h rehydration period since additional water and BW were lost as a result of urine formation, respiration, sweat and metabolism. The percent of body weight loss that was regained (used as index of percent rehydration) during CW, PW, and CEB trials was 75 ± 5%, 73 ± 5% and 80 ± 4% respectively, but was not statistically different between trials. The rehydration index, which provided an indication of how much of what was actually ingested was used for body weight restoration, was again not different statistically between trials (1.56 ± 0.14, 1.36 ± 0.13 and 1.71 ± 0.21 for CW, CEB and PW respectively). Although BV restoration was better with CW, it was not statistically different from CEB and PW. Cumulative urine output was similar in all trials. There were no difference at any time in serum Na + and Cl -, serum osmolality, and net fluid balance between the three trials. Urine osmolality decreased after 1 h during the rehydration period and it w a s l o w e s t i n t h e P W t r i a l . P l a s m a g l u c o s e concentrations were significantly higher compared with PW ingestion when CW and CEB were ingested during the rehydration period. CW was significantly sweeter, caused less nausea, fullness and no stomach upset and was also easier to consume in a larger amount compared with CEB and PW ingestion. In conclusion, ingestion of fresh young coconut water, a natural refreshing beverage, could be used for whole body rehydration after exercise.

This study investigates the effects of a shortterm aerobic training program in a hot environment on thermoregulation, blood parameters, sweat secretion and composition in tropic-dwellers who have been exposed to passive heat. Sixteen healthy Malaysian-Malay male volunteers underwent heat acclimation (HA) by exercising on a bicycle ergometer at 60% ofVO 2 max for 60 min each day in a hot environment (Ta: 31.1Ϯ0.1°C, rh: 70.0Ϯ4.4%) for 14 days. All parameters mentioned above were recorded on Day 1 and at the end of HA (Day 16). On these two days, subjects rested for 10 min, then cycled at 60% of V O 2 max for 60 min and rested again for 20 min (recovery) in an improvised heat chamber. Rectal temperature (T re ), mean skin temperature (T sk ) heart rate (HR), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal sensation (TS), local sweat rate and percent dehydration were recorded during the test. Sweat concentration was analysed for sodium [Na ϩ ] sweat and potassium. Blood samples were analysed for biochemical changes, electrolytes and hematologic indices. Urine samples were collected before and after each test and analysed for electrolytes.After the period of acclimation the percent dehydration during exercise significantly increased from 1.77Ϯ0.09% (Day 1) to 2.14Ϯ0.07% (Day 16). Resting levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit and red blood cells decreased significantly while [Na ϩ ] sweat increased significantly. For T re and T sk there were no differences at rest. T re , HR, RPE, TS, plasma lactate concentration, hemoglobin and hematocrit at the 40th min of exercise were significantly lower after the period of acclimation but mean corpuscular hemoglobin and serum osmolality were significantly higher while no difference was seen in [Na ϩ ] sweat and T sk . It can be concluded that tropicdwelling subjects, although exposed to prolonged passive heat exposure, were not fully heat acclimatized. To achieve further HA, they should gradually expose themselves to exercise-heat stress in a hot environment.

The effect of low-intensity exercise in the heat on thermoregulation and certain biochemical changes in temperate and tropical subjects under poorly and well-hydrated states was examined. Two VO 2max matched groups of subjects consisting of 8 Japanese (JS) and 8 Malaysians (MS) participated in this study under two conditions: poorlyhydrated (no water was given) and well-hydrated (3 mL · Kg Ϫ1 body weight of water was provided at onset of exercise, and the 15th, 35th and 55th min of exercise). The experimental room in both countries was adjusted to a constant level (Ta: 31.6Ϯ0.03°C, rh: 72.3Ϯ0.13%). Subjects spent an initial 10 min rest, 60 min of cycling at 40% VO 2max and then 40 min recovery in the experimental room. Rectal temperatures (T re ) skin temperatures (T sk ), heart rate (HR), heat-activated sweat glands density (HASG), local sweat rate (M sw-back ) and percent dehydration were recorded during the test. Blood samples were analysed for plasma glucose and lactate levels.The extent of dehydration was significantly higher in the combined groups of JS (1.43Ϯ0.08%) compared to MS (1.15Ϯ0.05%). During exercise M sw-back was significantly higher in JS compared to MS in the well-hydrated condition. The HASG was significantly more in JS compared to MS at rest and recovery. T re was higher in MS during the test. T sk was significantly higher starting at the 5th min of exercise until the end of the recovery period in MS compared to JS.In conclusion, tropical natives have lower M sw-back associated with higher T sk and T re during the rest, exercise and recovery periods. However, temperate natives have higher M sw-back and lower T sk and T re during experiments in a hot environment. This phenomenon occurs in both poorly-hydrated and wellhydrated states with low intensity exercise. The differences in M sw-back , T sk and T re are probably due to a setting of the core temperature at a higher level and enhancement of dry heat loss, which occurred during passive heat exposure.

Sixteen male students exercised for 14 days (1 h/day) in the heat for heat acclimation (HA). During deacclimation (DA) one group exercised in the cold (EXG, n=8) for 60 min/day (morning) and was exposed to the cold for another hour (afternoon) for 14 days. The other group was exposed to the cold (EPG, n=8) for 1 h each in the morning and afternoon (Ta: 18.0 degrees C, RH: 58%) over the same period. All returned to exercise in the heat for reacclimation (RA) for 10 days. Subjects were tested on days 1, 16, 21, 32, 36 and 44 on a bicycle ergometer for 60 min at 60% of VO(2max) in the heat (Ta: 31.1 degrees C, RH: 70%). Rectal temperature (T (re)) and heart rate (HR) at 40 min of exercise were used to determine the decay/gain of HA, which was calculated using the formula described by Pandolf et al. (Ergonomics, 20:399-408, 1977). After HA (day 16) T (re) and HR decreased significantly. During DA, EXG showed decay in T (re) of 24 and 35% and HR of 29 and 35% on days 21 and 32, respectively. For EPG the corresponding decay was of 2 and 9% for T (re) and 17 and 17% for HR. After 10 days of RA, EXG showed gains of 11% in T (re) and 12% in HR, while EPG showed gains of 47% in T (re) and 38% in HR. In conclusion, EXG had greater decay during DA and lower gains in RA compared to EPG. However, the differences between groups were significant only for T (re) after 4 days of DA.

Maximal oxygen consumption (Vo2m,,)