Lawrence E. Armstrong
- Professor
Presently in his 23rd year as a professor in the Human Performance Laboratory. Research specialties include human fluid-electrolyte balance and assessment of hydration status; physiological responses to exercise; dietary intervention (i.e., sport drinks, low salt diets, glucose-electrolyte solutions); heat tolerance; effects of dehydration on physical performance; effects of mild dehydration on mood and cognitive performance; physiological responses to wearing uniforms; pharmacologic influences on thermoregulation and heat acclimatization as they apply to athletes, fire fighters, and military personnel.
Field studies: fluid-electrolyte balance in tennis players (Miami, FL), effects of flavoring on fluid consumption (Fort Benning, GA), heat exhaustion (Panama), heat stress monitors (Australia), heat illness (Texas), casualty rates at the Boston Marathon (Massachusetts), cooling of heatstroke patients after a summer road race (Falmouth, MA), effects of diuretic-induced dehydration on sprint running performance (Storrs, CT), observation of fluid-electrolyte and caloric turnover of cyclists during a 100-mile event in a 105F environment (Wichita Falls, TX), effects of dehydration on trail running performance (Storrs, CT), evaluation of sweat and sodium losses of elite male and female triathletes (E. Rutherford, NJ), evaluation of Ironman Triathletes at the finish line (Kona Hawaii, October 2012).
Personal Interests: (1) Effects of mild dehydration on cognitive performance and mood. (2) Changes of fluid balance and hydration biomarkers during pregnancy and lactation. (3) Effects of controlled dietary caffeine intake on fluid balance and physical performance in a hot environment. (4) Influence of fluid-electrolyte replacement beverages on prolonged exercise performance in a hot environment. (5) Novel indices of human hydration. (6) Thermoregulatory and physiological strain due to athletic uniforms. (7) Effects of modified drinking on human physiology and mood.
Holds joint appointments in the Department of Nutritional Sciences and in Physiology & Neurobiology.
Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine.
Editorial Board Member for the following journals: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (ACSM), International Journal of Sports Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research (NSCA), Journal of Athletic Training (NATA).
- Contact Information:
- Email: lawrence.armstrong@uconn.edu
- Phone: (860) 486-2647
- Phone: (860) 486-3623
- Fax: (860) 486-1123
- Office:
- Location: Gampel Pavilion 205
- Mailing Address:
- Department of Kinesiology, Human Performance Laboratory
- Neag School of Education
- 2095 Hillside Road, Unit 1110
- Storrs, CT 06269-1110, USA
- Areas of Expertise:
- Exercise & Heat
- Exercise & Nutrition
- Physical Performance
- Hydration/Dehydration
- Physiology - Environmental
- Heat Acclimatization
- Fluid-Electrolyte Balance
- Sport Drinks
- Exertional Heat Illnesses
- Currently Teaching:
- EKIN 5510: Exercise Metabolism; EKIN 6520: Thermal Physiology
- EKIN 5530, Stressful Environments
- EKIN 5515: Scientific Presentations; EKIN 4500: Physiological Systems
- EKIN 4510: Mechanisms & Adaptations in Sport & Exercise
- EKIN 3099/5099 & PNB 3299/5395: Independent Study
- Honors and Awards:
- Outstanding Research Award, Neag School of Education, May 2005
- Honor Award for Exemplary Service to the N E Chapter of American College of Sports Medicine, Boxborough MA, November 1996.
- Received Department of the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, Heat Research Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, June 1990.
- Received National Strength and Conditioning Association's Presidential Award twice. Second award, May 1993. First award, May 1989.
- Aerospace Medical Association, Environmental Science Award, Nashville, TN, April 1986.
- In the News:
- How Your Body Beats the Heat: Washington Post newspaper
- Cranky Today? Even Mild Dehydration Can Alter Our Moods
- Mild dehdration alters moods, makes thinking hard
- Calm down dear, with a sip of water: Dehydration can alter mood and ability to think
- Frequent urination and caffeine
- Dehydration Could Make Your Mood Worse, Study Shows
- Dehydration makes you cranky, confused and fatigued
- Bad mood? Blame mild dehydration, study suggests
- A new proposed guidance system for beverage consumption in the United States
- Associations/Organizations/Outreach:
- Second Vice President, American College of Sports Medicine, June 2012
- Elected, National Board of Trustees Representative, American College of Sports Medicine, 2007-2009
- Appointed - National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, Committee on Military Nutrition Research, Washington D.C., 1998-2001
- Appointed - Institutional Review Board for Human Studies, University of Connecticut, 2004 - 2006.
- Scientific Advisory Board Member, Danone Research, France. 2008-present
- Appointed to the National ACSM Diversity Task Force. Purpose: to increase representation of under-represented minority members. 2004 – present
- Educational Background:
- Ph.D., Human Bioenergetics, Ball State University, Human Performance Laboratory, 1983
- M.Ed., Science Curriculum, University of Toledo, 1976
- B.Ed., Science Curriculum (Biology), University of Toledo, 1971
- Selected Publications/Presentations:
- Armstrong LE, Johnson EC, McKenzie AL, Munoz CX. Interpreting Common Hydration Biomarkers on the Basis of Solute and Water Excretion. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, in press, 2013. Doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2012.214
- Armstrong LE, Casa DJ, Emmanuel H, Ganio MS, Klau JF, Lee EC, Maresh CM, McDermott BP, Stearns RL, Vingren JL, Wingo JE, Williamson KH, Yamamoto LM. Nutritional, Physiological and Perceptual Responses During a Summer Ultra-Endurance Cycling Event. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 26(2): 307-318, 2012.
- Armstrong LE, Ganio MS, Casa DJ, Lee EC, McDermott BP, Klau JF, Jimenez L, Le Bellego L, Chevillotte E,. Lieberman HR. Mild dehydration affects mood in healthy young women. Journal of Nutrition 142(2):382-388, 2012.
- Ganio MS, Armstrong LE, Casa DJ, McDermott BP, Lee EC, Yamamoto LM, Marzano S, Lopez RM, Jimenez L, Le Bellego L, Chevillotte E, Lieberman HR. Mild dehydration impairs cognitive performance and mood of men. British Journal of Nutrition 106:1535-1543, 2011.
- Armstrong LE, Klau JF, Ganio MS, McDermott BP, Yeargin SW, Lee EC, Maresh CM. Accumulation of 2H2O in plasma and eccrine sweat during exercise-heat stress. European Journal of Applied Physiology & Occupational Physiology 108:477-482, 2010.
- Armstrong LE, Johnson EC, Casa DJ, Ganio MS, McDermott B, Yamamoto LM, Lopez RM, Emmanuel H. The American Football Uniform: Uncompensable Heat Stress and Hyperthermic Exhaustion. Journal of Athletic Training 45(2):117-127, 2010.
- Armstrong, L.E. Assessing hydration status: The elusive gold standard. Journal American College of Nutrition 26(5):575S-584S, 2007.
- Armstrong LE, Casa DJ, Maresh CM, and Ganio MS. Caffeine, Fluid-Electrolyte Balance, Temperature Regulation, and Exercise Performance. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews 35(3): 135-140, 2007.
- Armstrong LE, Pumerantz AC, Roti MW, Judelson DA, Watson G, Dias JC, Sökmen B, Casa DJ, Maresh CM. Fluid-Electrolyte and Renal Indices of Hydration During Eleven Days of Controlled Caffeine Consumption. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism 15:252-265, 2005.
- Book Editor and Author/Coauthor. Exertional Heat Illnesses. Human Kinetics Publishers, April 2003, 275 pages.
- Funded Research:
- Effects of fluid composition on cycling performace in a warm environment
- Thermoregulatory and physiological strain due to athletic uniforms.
- Effects of controlled dietary caffeine intake on fluid-electrolyte balance, hydration, physiological & psychological measures during exercise-heat stress, and caffeine-withdrawal
- Comparison of a fluid-electrolyte replacement beverage versus water: ergogenic properties
- Assessing human hydration status
- Effects of glycerol rehydration during exercise in the heat
- Effects of a strong antioxidant on maximal aerobic power
- NIH Minority Student Bridges Grant involving Howard University, Washington D.C. and University of Rhode Island
- Effects of mild dehydration on cognitive function and mood state
- Hydration biomarkers in pregnant women