There is limited research about the effects of drinking slightly excessive fluid (e.g. hyperhydration) on exercise performance. Before exercising in the heat, consumption of fluid and substances that help you retain water, called hydrating agents, may reduce the effects of dehydration (too little fluid in your body) and have positive effects on performance. Very limited research has been conducted on this topic in women, and the effects of hydration on performance at different times during the menstrual cycle are unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine if drinking a small excess of fluid (2% hyperhydration) affects cycling performance compared to being normally hydrated. This will be tested at two different times during the menstrual cycle. This may be important for aerobic performance in women in the heat.  

UPDATES: The study recruitment is ongoing. 

Absorption of contaminants through the skin is gaining increasing attention as a route of occupational exposure but continues to be very difficult to measure. A novel approach to assess dermal absorption involves inserting a small catheter under the skin surface, known as an intradermal microdialysis (MD) fiber. As the fiber is perfused with fluid, substances can be recovered, and the effluent fluid (dialysate) collected for analysis. This study aims to optimize this method for assessment of dermal contaminant absorption and obtain reference absorption data for comparison to occupational groups from other studies. This novel work is important in characterizing dermal absorption in real-world scenarios and informing risk mitigation strategies.

UPDATES: We're aiming to publish this work in fall 2025! Links will be provided here as soon as the publicaiton is available.