Heat Acclimation in Females

Purpose and Hypothesis: Global warming combined with increased frequency of heat waves exposes those who are working, exercising, or competing outdoors to considerable thermal strain. Excessive heat stress decreases exercise performance and can lead to heat illnesses. Deliberate serial exposure to natural (acclimatization) or artificial (acclimation) heat (HA) is the most efficacious method to defend homeostasis at rest and during exercise in hot environments. Our project will determine if three weeks of heat acclimation maintenance (HAM) further potentiates exercise performance in the heat than exercise performance measured after 10 days of HA in females.

Justification: Female participation in arduous occupations and professional sport is increasing. Presently a paucity of data regarding the female response to heat acclimation exist. Findings from this study will help females undertake effective and efficient strategies to mitigate thermal strain.

Research design: This is an experimental trial with a treatment and a control group. VO2max, plasma volume (PV), core temperature, and cardiac output will be measured pre-, mid-, and post-intervention. Participants will complete 10 sessions of HA over two weeks. Participants will then undergo three weeks of HAM with three heat sessions per week. A heat performance test will be completed pre-, mid-, and post-intervention to examine performance changes. A control group will complete the same test schedule but will not perform any HA or HAM.

Statistical analysis: Sample size will be 8 females in the experimental and 6 females in the control group. Data will be analyzed for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Descriptive statistics will be presented as the mean and standard deviation. Statistical significance will be determined at P <0.05. A two-way repeated measure ANOVA will be used to measure differences between groups and hemodynamic, cardiovascular and performance variable differences pre- and post-HA, and pre- post-HAM. If significant effects are present, these will be followed by a post-hoc Tukey's test. Pearson's r correlations (two-tailed) will be conducted between VO2max, and intravascular volumes and heat performance test outcome.

Inclusion criteria

• Familiar with the sport of cycling and own a bicycle and smart trainer (or a trainer and a power meter).
• Endurance athlete or currently engaging in endurance exercise
• Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) greater than 40 ml/kg/min
• Between the ages of 18 and 55
• Able to speak, read, and write in English

Exclusion criteria

• Unable to exercise
• Previous or current heat intolerance
• Pregnant