The Effect of Mild Dehydration on Selective and Sustained Attention

The study investigated effects of mild dehydration on selective and sustained attention. 22 female students participated in a quasi-experimental study. Convenience sampling was used and participants were assigned to three basic, hydration, and dehydration conditions, counterbalancelly. In the basic condition, they had no physical activity, but in hydration and dehydration conditions, they completed a 60-minute exercise protocol of walking on a treadmill and bicycling. Data were collected using Simple Stroop and Continuous Performance Test V.4. A significant main effect was found for exercise condition. No interaction was found for exercise condition and attention. In dehydrated condition, selective and sustained attention’s mean scores were higher than control and hydrated conditions (p0.05) was found between selective and sustained attention’s mean scores in control and hydrated conditions. Accordingly, mild dehydration affected selective and sustained attention. Therefore, it seems necessary to consider optimal hydration during exercise .