Intermittent exercise-heat exposures and intense physical activity sustain heat acclimation adaptations.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if intermittent exercise-heat exposures (IHE) every fifth day sustain heat acclimation (HA) adaptations 25 days after initial HA. DESIGN: Randomized control trial. METHODS: Sixteen non-heat acclimatized men heat acclimated during 10-11 days of exercise in the heat (40°C, 40% RH). A heat stress test (120min, 45% V˙O2peak) before (Pre HA) and after HA (Post HA) in similar hot conditions assessed HA status. Pair-matched participants were randomized into a control group (CON; n=7) that exercised in a temperate environment (24°C, 21%RH) or IHE group (n=9) that exercised in a hot environment (40°C, 40%RH) every fifth day for 25 days following HA (+25d) with out-of-laboratory exercise intensity and duration recorded. Both groups completed +25d in the hot condition. RESULTS: Both groups heat acclimated similarly (p>0.05) evidenced by lower heart rate (HR), thermoregulatory, physiological, and perceptual responses (perceived exertion, fatigue, thermal sensation) Pre HA vs. Post HA (p≤0.05). At +25d, post-exercise HR (p=0.01) and physiological strain index (p<0.05) but neither Tre (p=0.18) nor sweat rate (p=0.44) were lower in IHE vs. CON. In IHE only, post-exercise Tre and perceptual responses at Post HA and +25d were lower than Pre HA (p≤0.01). +25d post-exercise epinephrine was higher in CON vs. IHE (p=0.04). Exercise intensity during out-of-lab exercise and +25d post-exercise HR were correlated (r=-0.89, p=0.02) in IHE. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise-heat exposures every fifth day for 25 days and regular intense physical activity after HA sustained HR and Tre adaptations and reduced perceptual and physiological strain during exercise-heat stress ∼1 month later.

Effects of heat acclimation on hand cooling efficacy following exercise in the heat.

This study examined the separate and combined effects of heat acclimation and hand cooling on post-exercise cooling rates following bouts of exercise in the heat. Seventeen non-heat acclimated (NHA) males (mean ± SE; age, 23 ± 1 y; mass, 75.30 ± 2.27 kg; maximal oxygen consumption [VO2 max], 54.1 ± 1.3 ml·kg-1·min-1) completed 2 heat stress tests (HST) when NHA, then 10 days of heat acclimation, then 2 HST once heat acclimated (HA) in an environmental chamber (40°C; 40%RH). HSTs were 2 60-min bouts of treadmill exercise (45% VO2 max; 2% grade) each followed by 10 min of hand cooling (C) or no cooling (NC). Heat acclimation sessions were 90-240 min of treadmill or stationary bike exercise (60-80% VO2 max). Repeated measures ANOVA with Fishers LSD post hoc (α < 0.05) identified differences. When NHA, C (0.020 ± 0.003°C·min-1) had a greater cooling rate than NC (0.013 ± 0.003°C·min-1) (mean difference [95%CI]; 0.007°C [0.001,0.013], P = 0.035). Once HA, C (0.021 ± 0.002°C·min-1) was similar to NC (0.025 ± 0.002°C·min-1) (0.004°C [-0.003,0.011], P = 0.216). Hand cooling when HA (0.021 ± 0.002°C·min-1) was similar to when NHA (0.020 ± 0.003°C·min-1) (P = 0.77). In conclusion, when NHA, C provided greater cooling rates than NC. Once HA, C and NC provided similar cooling rates.

National Athletic Trainers' Association Releases New Guidelines for Exertional Heat Illnesses: What School Nurses Need to Know.

Exertional heat illnesses (EHI) occur in various populations and settings. Within a school setting, there are student athletes who take part in physical activity where the risk of EHI is increased. The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) released an updated position statement on EHI in September of 2015. This article is a summary of the position statement. The sports medicine team, including school nurses and athletic trainers, provides quality health care to these physically active individuals. Thus, it is important for school nurses to understand the prevention, recognition, and treatment of EHI.