What is a common indicator of dehydration during exercise?

Cramps are indeed a common indicator of dehydration during exercise. This can occur because dehydration leads to an electrolyte imbalance within the body, particularly affecting sodium, potassium, and magnesium levels, which are crucial for muscle function. When the body is dehydrated, it can cause muscles to contract uncontrollably, resulting in cramps.

While cramping is specifically linked to dehydration, increased energy levels would typically indicate proper hydration and nutrient intake, making it an unlikely sign of dehydration. A high heart rate is another effect of dehydration, but it is more of a physiological response to reduced blood volume rather than a direct indicator in the way cramps are. Clear urine, conversely, is associated with proper hydration; the darker the urine, the more concentrated it is, which indicates dehydration. Thus, cramps serve as a reliable and direct sign of the body's struggle with hydration during exercise.