
Lawrence Armstrong- PhD, FACSM
- Professor Emeritus at University of Connecticut
Lawrence Armstrong
- PhD, FACSM
- Professor Emeritus at University of Connecticut
About
503
Publications
215,187
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Introduction
Lawrence E. Armstrong, Ph.D., FACSM is a Professor Emeritus, University of Connecticut with expertise in assessment of hydration status, thirst, thermoregulation, exercise, and metabolism. He has authored/coauthored >250 peer-reviewed scientific articles. Formerly served as a Research Physiologist, USARIEM, Natick, MA and as the 2015-2016 President of the American College of Sports Medicine. Has been named 5 times to the Stanford University "World's Top 2%" list of scientists, 2020 - 2024.
Current institution
Additional affiliations
Williamsburg VA
Position
- Independent Consultant
Publications
Publications (503)
The negative effects of dehydration or overhydration on exercise performance and health are widely recognized. However, the interindividual variability of fluid imbalances among athletes and across various sports is large, due to the complex interactions of physiological, environmental, and sport-specific factors. Such complexity not only makes it...
Sleep influences health and is affected by dehydration. Therefore, our aim was to assess the effects of mild dehydration and subsequent rehydration on sleep time and sleep quality using subjective measures. On 4 consecutive mornings, 18 males (mean ± SD; age, 23 ± 4 years; height, 175.8 ± 5.7 cm; weight, 80.1 ± 9.7 kg) reported to the laboratory wi...
Few previous epidemiological studies, sports medicine position statements, and expert panel consensus reports have evaluated the similarities and differences of hyperthermia and exertional heatstroke (EHS) during endurance running, cycling, open water swimming, and triathlon competitions. Accordingly, we conducted manual online searches of the PubM...
Few previous review articles have focused on the associations between inadequate daily water intake (LOW) or urinary biomarkers of dehydration ( U D; low urine volume or high urine osmolality) and multiple diseases. Accordingly, we conducted manual online searches (47 key words) of the PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases with these inclusi...
Exertional heat stroke is a true medical emergency with potential for organ injury and death. This consensus statement emphasizes that optimal exertional heat illness management is promoted by a synchronized chain of survival that promotes rapid recognition and management, as well as communication between care teams. Health care providers should be...
Purpose: The purpose was to determine the effect of a single-dose prophylactic ibuprofen use before a 164-km road cycling event in high ambient temperature on the circulating cytokine and leukocyte responses. Methods: Twenty-three men (53 ± 8 y, 172.0 ± 22.0 cm, 85.1 ± 12.8 kg, 19.6 ± 4.4% body fat) completed a 164-km self-paced recreational road c...
The phenomenon of reduced athletic performance following sustained, intense training (Overtraining Syndrome, and OTS) was first recognized more than 90 years ago. Although hundreds of scientific publications have focused on OTS, a definitive diagnosis, reliable biomarkers, and effective treatments remain unknown. The present review considers existi...
Objectives
To examine the efficacy of weekly and bi-weekly heat training to maintain heat acclimatization (HAz) and heat acclimation (HA) for 8 weeks in aerobically trained athletes.
Design
Randomized, between-group.
Methods
Twenty-four males (mean [m ± standard deviation [sd]; (age, 34 ± 12 y; body mass, 72.6 ± 8.8 kg, VO2peak, 57.7±6.8 ml·kg⁻¹·...
Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a true medical emergency with potential for organ injury and death. This consensus statement emphasizes that optimal exertional heat illness management is promoted by a synchronized chain of survival that promotes rapid recognition and management, as well as communication between care teams. Health care providers sho...
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of heat acclimatization (HAz) followed by heat acclimation (HA) on physiological adaptations. 25 male endurance athletes (age 36 ± 12 y, height 178.8 ± 6.39 cm, body mass 73.03 ± 8.97 kg, and VO2peak 57.5 ± 7.0 mL·kg−1·min−1) completed HAz and HA. HAz was 3 months of self-directed summer tra...
PurposeAn increasing body of evidence suggests that excreting a generous volume of diluted urine is associated with short- and long-term beneficial health effects, especially for kidney and metabolic function. However, water intake and hydration remain under-investigated and optimal hydration is poorly and inconsistently defined. This review tests...
Objectives
Determine whether five days of heat acclimation reduces cardiovascular and thermoregulatory strain during consecutive exercise-heat exposures on the sixth day in the heat.
Design
Pair-matched randomized control trial.
Methods
Twenty-four males completed two, 120 min exercise sessions (Session 1, Session 2) in a single day before (Day 1...
During endurance exercise, two problems arise from disturbed fluid–electrolyte balance: dehydration and overhydration. The former involves water and sodium losses in sweat and urine that are incompletely replaced, whereas the latter involves excessive consumption and retention of dilute fluids. When experienced at low levels, both dehydration and o...
Context
Hypohydration has been shown to alter neuromuscular function. However, the longevity of these impairments remains unclear.
Objective
To examine the effects of graded exercise-induced dehydration on neuromuscular control 24 hours after exercise-induced hypohydration.
Design
Crossover study.
Setting
Laboratory.
Patients or Other Participa...
Football is a global game which is constantly evolving, showing substantial increases in physical and technical demands. Nutrition plays a valuable integrated role in optimising performance of elite players during training and match-play, and maintaining their overall health throughout the season. An evidence-based approach to nutrition emphasising...
Thirst motivates consumption of water necessary for optimal health and cognitive-physiological functions. Other than thirst, little is known about coexisting perceptions and moods that provide information to the brain and participate in body water homeostasis. The purpose of this investigation was to observe perceptions, somatic sensations, and moo...
Current models of afferent inputs to the brain, which influence body water volume and concentration via thirst and drinking behavior, have not adequately described the interactions of subconscious homeostatic regulatory responses with conscious perceptions. The purpose of this investigation was to observe the interactions of hydration change indice...
Purpose
This investigation had three purposes: (a) to evaluate changes in hydration biomarkers in response to a graded rehydration intervention (GRHI) following 3 days of water restriction (WR), (b) assess within-day variation in urine concentrations, and (c) quantify the volume of fluid needed to return to euhydration as demonstrated by change in...
The effects of mode of rehydration on stress hormone response to subsequent maximal intensity exercise in the heat.
Linda M. Yamamoto1,2, Elaine C. Lee1, Brendon P. McDermott1, Kathleen N. Beasley1, Holly Emmanuel1, Jeff S. Volek1, Douglas J. Casa1, FACSM, Lawrence E. Armstrong1, FACSM, William J. Kraemer1, FACSM, and Carl M. Maresh1, FACSM.
1U...
We investigated the impact of nutrient intake on hydration biomarkers in cyclists before and after a 161 km ride, including one hour after a 650 mL water bolus consumed post-ride. To control for multicollinearity, we chose a clustering-based, machine learning statistical approach. Five hydration biomarkers (urine color, urine specific gravity, plas...
A long-standing body of clinical observations associates low 24-h total water intake (TWI = water + beverages + food moisture) with acute renal disorders such as kidney stones and urinary tract infections. These findings prompted observational studies and experimental interventions comparing habitual low volume (LOW) and high volume (HIGH) drinkers...
Background
Individuals of all ages are encouraged to monitor their hydration status daily to prevent clinically severe fluid imbalances such as hyponatremia or dehydration. However, acute oral nutritional supplementation may alter urinary hydration assessments and potentially increase the likelihood of inappropriate clinical decisions or diagnosis....
The combination of hyperthermia, dehydration, and strenuous exercise can result in severe reductions in kidney function, potentially leading to acute kidney injury (AKI). We sought to determine whether six days of heat acclimation (HA) mitigates the rise in clinical biomarkers of AKI during strenuous exercise in the heat. Twenty men completed two c...
Exertional heat exhaustion (HEX) is the most prevalent form of heat illness in athletic, industrial, and military settings. The common etiological features include dehydration, high ambient temperature/humidity/solar radiation with slow air movement, and strenuous/prolonged exercise. The fundamental pathophysiology of HEX involves total body water...
The motivation to seek and consume water is an essential component of human fluid–electrolyte homeostasis, optimal function, and health. This review describes the evolution of concepts regarding thirst and drinking behavior, made possible by magnetic resonance imaging, animal models, and novel laboratory techniques. The earliest thirst paradigms fo...
Personalized hydration strategies play a key role in optimizing the performance and safety of athletes during sporting activities. Clinicians should be aware of the many physiological, behavioral, logistical and psychological issues that determine both the athlete’s fluid needs during sport and his/her opportunity to address them; these are often s...
The micro-organisms which inhabit the human gut (i.e. the intestinal microbiota) influence numerous human biochemical pathways and physiological functions. The present review focuses on two questions, ‘Are intestinal microbiota effects measurable and meaningful?’ and ‘What research methods and variables are influenced by intestinal microbiota effec...
Objectives:
An exercise session in a hot environment may increase thermal strain during subsequent exercise sessions on the same and consecutive days. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine lasting physiological strain from moderate-high intensity, intermittent exercise in heat on subsequent exercise.
Design:
Repeated measures laborato...
The effects of mode of rehydration on subsequent exercise-heat challenge performance.
Linda M. Yamamoto1,2, Elaine C. Lee1, Brendon P. McDermott1, Kathleen N. Beasley1, Holly Emmanuel1, Jeff S. Volek1, Douglas J. Casa1, FACSM, Lawrence E. Armstrong1, FACSM, William J. Kraemer1, FACSM, and Carl M. Maresh1, FACSM.
1University of Connecticut, 2Central...
See
https://books.google.com/books/about/Exertional_Heat_Illnesses.html?id=vQZVECNmJeUC
Water is essential for metabolism, substrate transport across membranes, cellular homeostasis, temperature regulation, and circulatory function. Although nutritional and physiological research teams and professional organizations have described the daily total water intakes (TWI, L/24h) and Adequate Intakes (AI) of children, women, and men, there i...
Obesity affects approximately one‐third of American adults. Recent evidence suggests that weight bias may be pervasive among both exercise and nutrition professionals working with adults who have obesity. However, the published literature on this topic is limited. This review aimed to (i) systematically review existing literature examining weight b...
Hypertension (high blood pressure [BP]) is the most common, costly, and preventable cardiovascular disease risk factor in the world. Regular aerobic exercise is universally recommended as a lifestyle therapeutic intervention for the prevention, treatment, and control of high blood pressure. However, the stressor response to exercise in extreme but...
Objectives:
To observe the effects of endurance cycling in the heat on renal function. Secondarily, we investigated the effect of ibuprofen ingestion on kidney stress.
Design:
Randomized, placebo controlled and observational methods were utilized.
Methods:
Forty cyclists (52±9y, 21.7±6.5% body fat) volunteered and completed an endurance cyclin...
Exertional heatstroke (EHS) is a medical emergency that cannot be predicted, requires immediate whole-body cooling to reduce elevated internal body temperature, and is influenced by numerous host and environmental factors. Widely accepted predisposing factors (PDF) include prolonged or intense exercise, lack of heat acclimatization, sleep deprivati...
Dehydration attenuates exercise and cognitive function performance in younger adults, but less is known about the impact of dehydration on the aging population. Regular exercise serves as a robust prophylactic treatment to prevent age‐related decline in physical and cognitive function. However, middle‐age and older adults often display a blunted th...
Background: Occult (i.e., non-visible) gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a well-recognized complication that can occur during vigorous endurance physical exertion, especially in the heat. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of GI bleeding during a non-impact (cycling) prolonged race (161-km) in the heat. Methods:...
Human thermoregulatory responses represent one point on the spectrum of physiological and behavioral adaptations across the animal kingdom. By examining the wide variety of mechanisms and behaviors that animals employ to cope with changing ambient conditions, we can better understand our own responses to environmental stressors. The examples presen...
This chapter discusses the physiology of hydration, the evidence for how hydration affects performance, and practical applications for individuals who exercise. The body has an amazing ability to detect changes in body fluid, and individuals exercising are constantly losing body fluid through sweat. These losses are sensed by the body, and without...
IntroductionPrevious research established significant relationships between total fluid intake (TFI) and urinary biomarkers of the hydration process in free-living males and females; however, the nature of this relationship is not known for pregnant (PREG) and lactating (LACT) women. PurposeTo determine the relationship between urinary and hematolo...
Objective:
To present evidence-based recommendations that promote optimized fluid-maintenance practices for physically active individuals.
Background:
Both a lack of adequate fluid replacement (hypohydration) and excessive intake (hyperhydration) can compromise athletic performance and increase health risks. Athletes need access to water to prev...
Participation in organized sport and recreational activities presents an innate risk for serious morbidity and mortality. Although death during sport or physical activity has many causes, advancements in sports medicine and evidence-based standards of care have allowed clinicians to prevent, recognize, and treat potentially fatal injuries more effe...
Objective:
This study aims to examine blood hemostatic responses to completing a 164-km road cycling event in a hot environment.
Methods:
Thirty-seven subjects (28 men and 9 women; 51.8±9.5 [mean±SD] y) completed the ride in 6.6±1.1 hours. Anthropometrics (height, body mass [taken also during morning of the ride], percent body fat [%]) were coll...
Background:
Urine osmolality (UOSM) reflects the renal regulation of excess fluid or deficit fluid, and therefore, serves as a marker of hydration status. Little is known about monitoring hydration in pregnant and lactating women despite significant physiological challenges to body water balance during that time. Therefore, we designed a study to...
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a gram‐negative bacterial marker that might be released into circulation during exercise‐heat stress. LPS induces an innate immune response by binding LPS‐binding protein (LBP) and its cognate receptor, TLR4 (toll‐like receptor 4), expressed on CD16+CD14+ circulating immune cells. LPS‐induced TLR4 activation results in r...
Objectives
Water is an essential nutrient for thermoregulation, metabolism, cognition, and overall physiological homeostatic function. However, aging adults display a blunted thirst mechanism and subsequently have an increased risk for dehydration or hyponatremia. Fluid consumption behaviors are modifiable and the importance of practicing adequate...
Aim:
Urine concentration measured via osmolality (U OSM) and specific gravity (U SG) reflects the adequacy of daily fluid intake, which has important relationships to health in pregnant (PREG) and lactating (LACT) women. Urine color (U COL) may be a practical, surrogate marker for whole-body hydration status.
Purpose:
To determine whether U COL...
Heat exposure and hypohydration induce physiological and psychological strain during exercise; however, it is unknown if the separate effects of heat exposure and hypohydration are synergistic when co-occurring during loaded exercise. This study compared separate and combined effects of heat exposure and hypohydration on physiological strain, mood...
Background
Heat acclimation (HA) reduces the risk of exertional heat illnesses (EHI). However, HA adaptations are temporary and must be sustained to safely perform physical activity in hot environments.
Objective
To determine if intermittent exercise-heat exposures every fifth day mitigates HA decay, 25 days after initial HA (+25 d).
Design
Rando...
Introduction:
Exertional hyponatremia (EH) during prolonged exercise involves all avenues of fluid-electrolyte gain and loss. Although previous research implicates retention of excess fluid, EH may involve either loss, gain, or no change of body mass. Thus, the etiology, predisposing factors, and recommendations for prevention are vague-except for...
PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the circulating cytokine response to a recreational 164-km road cycling event in a high ambient temperature and to determine if this response was affected by self-paced exercise time to completion. Methods
Thirty-five men and five women were divided into tertiles based on time to complete the cycling...
Purpose: To assess the impact of completing a 164 km road cycling event performed in a hot environment (Wichita Falls, Texas in August), on endothelial biomarkers and resultant risk of blood clots in men and women. Methods: 37 event participants (28 men and 9 women; 51.8 ± 9.5 y) completed the ride. Plasma samples were collected in the morning befo...
Caffeine can reduce muscle pain during exercise; however the efficacy of caffeine in improving muscle soreness and recovery from a demanding long-duration exercise bout has not been established. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeine intake on ratings of perceived muscle soreness (RPMS) and perceived lower extremity fu...
Purpose of review:
The purpose of the review is to provide recommendations to improve clinical decision-making based on the strengths and weaknesses of commonly used hydration biomarkers and clinical assessment methods.
Recent findings:
There is widespread consensus regarding treatment, but not the diagnosis of dehydration. Even though it is gen...
The purpose of this investigation was to compare run-prescription by HR versus RPE during six weeks to determine which is superior for consistent achievement of target intensities and improved performance. 40 untrained males participated in this laboratory and field controlled trial. Participants were divided into heart rate (HRTG) and rating of pe...
Background:
Surprisingly little is known about the physiological and perceptual differences of women who consume different volumes of water each day. The purposes of this investigation were to (a) analyze blood osmolality, arginine vasopressin (AVP), and aldosterone; (b) assess the responses of physiological, thirst, and hydration indices; and (c)...
Main outcome variables:
Time, heart rate (HR), gastrointestinal temperature (TGI), fluid consumed, percent body mass loss (BML), and urine osmolality (Uosm). Race times between groups were similar. There was a significant condition x time interaction (P= 0.048) for HR, but TGI was similar between conditions. Subjects drank 30 ± 14% of their water...
The purpose of this observational study was to determine the circulating leukocyte subset response to completing the 2013 Hotter'N Hell Hundred recreational 164-km road cycle event in a hot and humid environmental condition. Twenty-eight men and four women were included in this study. Whole blood samples were obtained 1-2 hours before (PRE) and imm...
Urine color (Ucol) as a hydration assessment tool provides practicality, ease of use, and correlates moderately to strongly with urine specific gravity (Usg) and urine osmolality (Uosm). Indicative of daily fluid turnover, along with solute and urochrome excretion, Ucol may also reflect dietary composition. Thus, the purpose of this investigation w...
Stress-inducible Hsp72 is a potential biomarker to track risk of exertional heat illness during exercise/environmental stress. Characterization of extracellular (eHsp72) vs cellular Hsp72 (iHsp72) responses is required to define the appropriate use of Hsp72 as a reliable biomarker. In each of four repeat visits, participants (n = 6 men, 4 trials; t...
Context:
Clinicians and athletes can benefit from field-expedient measurement tools, such as urine color, to assess hydration state; however, the diagnostic efficacy of this tool has not been established.
Objective:
To determine the diagnostic accuracy of urine color assessment to distinguish a hypohydrated state (≥2% body mass loss [BML]) from...
Dietary approaches for optimizing exercise performance have been debated in the literature for years. For endurance athletes, various position stands focus on recommendations for high-carbohydrate diets to maximize performance in events. However, theories of low-carbohydrate diets and their ability to provide more fuel may prove beneficial to ultra...
This field investigation assessed differences (e.g., drinking behavior, hydration status, perceptual ratings) between female and male endurance cyclists who completed a 164-km event in a hot environment (35°C mean dry bulb), to inform rehydration recommendations for athletes. Three years of data were pooled to create two groups of cyclists: women (...
Urine colour (U Col) is simple to measure, differs between low-volume and high-volume drinkers, and is responsive to changes in daily total fluid intake (TFI). However, to date, no study has quantified the relationship between a change in TFI and the resultant change in U Col. This analysis aimed to determine the change in TFI needed to adjust 24-h...
Wolters Kluwer and the ACSM are excited to introduce ACSM's Research Methods, a vital first edition. This applied approach provides students with a sophisticated look at research methods aimed at building engagement with the text. Written by leading experts in the field, this title offers a fresh approach that better integrates traditional methods...
This study investigated the acute endocrine responses to a 164-km road cycling event in a hot environment. Thirty-four male experienced cyclists (49.1 ± 8.3 years, 86.8 ± 12.5 kg, 178.1 ± 5.1 cm) participating in a 164-km road cycling event were recruited. Blood samples were collected within 0.3-2.0 h before the start (PRE: ~0500-0700 h) and immedi...
Raising children's awareness about their hydration status could be done through a noninvasive biomarker. Urine color (UC) has been validated as a biomarker of hydration in adults and children aged 8-14 years. The aim of this survey was to design and to evaluate the level of understanding and attractiveness of a self-assessment, UC-based hydration t...
Acute negative and positive mood states have been linked with the development of undesirable and desirable health outcomes, respectively. Numerous factors acutely influence mood state including exercise, caffeine ingestion, and macronutrient intake, but the influence of habitual total water intake remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to o...
Post-exercise protein and sodium supplementation may aid recovery and rehydration. Preserved beef provides protein and contains high quantities of sodium that may alter t performance related variables in runners. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of consuming a commercial beef product post-exercise on sodium and water balance....
Laboratory-based studies indicate mild dehydration adversely affects mood. Although ultra-endurance events often result in mild to moderate dehydration, little research has evaluated whether the relationship between hydration status and mood state also exists in these arduous events. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate how hydratio...