Laura Kunces

Dr. Laura Kunces


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

12Years (2015-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
30 April 2020 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CMColleen X. Munoz
Colleen X. Munoz
EJEvan Johnson
Evan Johnson
LKLaura Kunces
Laura Kunces
Amy McKenzieAmy McKenzie
Amy McKenzie
MWMichael Wininger
Michael Wininger
ELElaine C Lee
Elaine C Lee
We investigated the impact of nutrient intake on hydration biomarkers in cyclists before and after a 161 km ride, including one hour after a 650 mL water bolus consumed post-ride. To control for multicollinearity, we chose a clustering-based, machine learning statistical approach. Five hydration biomarkers (urine color, urine specific gravity, plasma osmolality, plasma copeptin, and body mass change) were configured as raw- and percent change. Linear regressions were used to test for associations between hydration markers and eight predictor terms derived from 19 nutrients merged into a reduced-dimensionality dataset through serial k-means clustering. Most predictor groups showed significant association with at least one hydration biomarker: (1) Glycemic Load + Carbohydrates + Sodium, (2) Protein + Fat + Zinc, (3) Magnesium + Calcium, (4) Pinitol, (5) Caffeine, (6) Fiber + Betaine, and (7) Water; potassium + three polyols, and mannitol + sorbitol showed no significant associations with any hydration biomarker. All five hydration biomarkers were associated with at least one nutrient predictor in at least one configuration. We conclude that in a real-life scenario, some nutrients may serve as mediators of body water, and urine-specific hydration biomarkers may be more responsive to nutrient intake than measures derived from plasma or body mass.

1 May 2015 in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
LKLaura Kunces
Laura Kunces
BVBrittanie M. Volk
Brittanie M. Volk
DFDaniel J. Freidenreich
Daniel J. Freidenreich
CSCatherine Saenz
Catherine Saenz
MFMaria L. Fernandez
Maria L. Fernandez
JVJeff S. Volek
Jeff S. Volek