Heat Acclimation, Hand Cooling Efficacy, and Adaptation Maintenance.

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study had three aims: To determine the impact of consecutive days of exercise on thermoregulation and cardiovascular strain. To determine the efficacy of a hand cooling device to cool individuals throughout a heat acclimation period. To assess the maintenance of thermoregulatory and cardiovascular adaptations derived from heat acclimation during a 25-day intermittent exercise-heat exposure protocol.

Detailed Description
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Participants completed 14 days of exercise heat acclimation in either a hot or cool environment, followed by a heat or cool exercise exposure every 5th day for 25 days. Cardiovascular, thermoregulatory, and perceptual strain were measured throughout exercise each day. Hydration assessment and stress response via blood biomarkers were measured before and after exercise. Aerobic capacity was measured before and after heat acclimation as well as after the intermittent exercise-heat exposure. Hand cooling was implemented periodically during exercise-heat stress visits to determine cooling efficacy before and after heat acclimation.

Official Title
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The Effect of Heat Acclimation on Repeated Bouts of Strenuous Heat Stress, Hand Cooling Efficacy, and the Maintenance Thereof.

Conditions
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Heat

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Heat acclimation
* Other: Exercise in a cool environment


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: no chronic health problems no previous history of exertional heat stroke within the past 3 years no history of cardiovascular, metabolic or respiratory disease no current musculoskeletal injury that limits physical activity Exclusion Criteria: women exercise less than once per week VO2max < 45 ml/kg/min

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Exercise in heat group<br>Exercise in a hot environment | Other: Heat acclimation<br>* 14 days of aerobic exercise in a hot environment<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Exercise in cool group<br>Exercise in a cool environment | Other: Exercise in a cool environment<br>* 14 days of aerobic exercise in a cool environment<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Internal Body Temperature | Rectal temperature was assessed five days following measurement at baseline. | 5 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Heart Rate | Heart rate was assessed five days following baseline. | 5 days |