Since the work of the Scandinavians, Hermansen and Saltin, we have known that water loss by perspiration leads to a significant loss in muscle power. Habitual long-distance athletes are no longer unaware that the intake of water during effort, thanks to refreshment stations along the course, enables them to struggle effectively against the effects of dehydration, especially if it is hot, there is little wind, the hygrometer reading is high and the pace particularly sustained.
Tag: muscle power
Physical Condition of the Muscle
The physical condition of a muscle is determined by its freedom from fatigue, its temperature, its stores of energy foodstuffs, its state of training and its ability to recover from bouts of work. Fatigue reduces the excitability, power and extent of contraction of muscle. Unless the stimulus is great fatigue reduces the number of fibers which respond in repeated muscular contractions. Such reduction in the number of contractile elements reduces the power of the contractions.