The Effects of Post Aerobic Exercise Hot Water Immersion on Physiological and Perceptual Responses in Physically Inactive Middle-aged Adults
Condition: Healthy Aging
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This study will investigate the effects of post moderate intensity aerobic exercise hot water
      immersion on physiological and perceptual responses in physically inactive middle-aged adults
      when compared to moderate intensity aerobic exercise and hot water immersion alone.
    

Detailed description: 
      A large number of middle aged adults do not achieve the minimum recommended amount of
      physical activity. This consequently increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and
      all-cause mortality. Although below the recommended physical activity guidelines, it is
      important to highlight that a considerable proportion of these individuals do take part in
      some form of physical activity within their weekly routines. Hence, identifying complementary
      therapies that can enhance the health benefits from smaller amounts of exercise are of great
      value for many physically inactive middle-aged adults.

      An in increase in body temperature from a single session of passive heating has been shown to
      mimic many of the beneficial physiological responses of exercise, such as, an increase in
      heart rate, skin blood flow and an increase in circulating angiogenic factors. However, lab
      based studies often push participants to the limit of thermal tolerance which may reduce long
      term adherence in the real world. Therefore, this study will investigate whether the use of
      post exercise hot water immersion can prolong and / or intensify exercise mediated
      physiological responses that underpin health benefits, whilst also assessing the perceptual
      responses, in comparison to exercise and hot water immersion alone.

      Through the use of a repeated measures design, participants will randomly take part in three
      conditions; 1) post exercise hot water immersion (30 minutes of moderate intensity cycling
      followed by 10 minutes of supine rest and 30 minutes of whole body hot water immersion at
      40°C); 2) aerobic exercise (30 minutes of moderate intensity cycling followed by 10 minutes
      of supine rest and 30 minutes of seated rest at room temperature); 3) hot water immersion
      condition (30 minutes of whole body hot water immersion at 40°C followed by 10 minutes of
      supine rest and 30 minutes of whole body hot water immersion at 40°C). Each condition will be
      separated by a minimum of 1-week. Outcome measures will either be assessed at regular
      intervals or at 0, 30, 70 and 100 minute time points for each condition.
    

Intervention name(s): Post exercise hot water immersion; Exercise; Hot water immersion
Intervention type(s): Device; Device; Device
Intervention description(s): Participants will complete 30 minutes of cycling on a lode bicycle ergometer (50% of VO2max), followed by a 10-minute transfer period and then 30 minutes of whole-body hot water immersion in a hot tub (water temperature 40°C).; Participants will complete 30 minutes of cycling on a lode bicycle ergometer (50% of VO2max).; Participants will complete 30 minutes of whole-body hot water immersion in a hot tub (water temperature 40°C), followed by a 10-minute transfer period and then an additional 30 minutes of whole-body hot water immersion in a hot tub (water temperature 40°C).
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Prevention