Heat Acclimation

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Top Contributors - Kapil Narale, Uchechukwu Chukwuemeka and Vidya Acharya  

Introduction

Heat Acclimation is the body's process of adapting to the heat. Heat acclimation is a process that can occur to individuals at any age. Individuals who desire to achieve maximal heat acclimation must exercise in the heat, although they can achieve the heat acclimaiton in a cool environment. Exercising in the heat poses a demand in maintaining normal body temperature and fluid balance.

Body temperature needs to be regulated within a homeostasis value of roughly 37 degrees Celsius, since cellular structures and metabolic pathways are affected by body temperature. An increase in body temperature to 45 degrees celcius can be quite dangerous to the body, as it can lead to an inability to produce cellular energy, and lead to cellular death, and death of the organism. Therefore heat loss of the body needs to equal heat gain in the body.

The homeostasis of the body can be referred to as the human 'furnace' or 'thermostat'. THe body's temperature is relatively high, and is regulated with gradual heat loss.

Physiology

If heat loss is less than heat gained, then there is an increase in body temperature, thus body temperature rises. This is case where homeostasis needs to be maintained

Contracting skeletal muscle produce a large amount of heat, thus prolonged exercise in hot environments poses a challenge to maintaining homeostasis.

An important function of the circulatory system is to transport heat. Blood is a facilitator in transporting heat, since it has a high capacity to store heat. Whe the body wants to lose heat, blood flow is increased to the skin to facilitate heat loss to the environment.

Individuals who are heat acclimated have a lower body temperature and a lower heart rate with submaximal exercise. It is recommended that individuals should partake in strenuous interval training or continuous exercise at an intensity higher than 50% VO2max to facilitate the higher core temperature, since a higher core temperature is what drives heat acclimation.

Environments with high heat and humidity make the body less able to lose heat by radiation/convection and evaporation. The inability to lose heat produces a greater core temperature and a higher rate of sweat loss., compared to a more comfortable environment. With fluid loss, and a high core temperature, together, there is a risk of hyperthermia and heat injury. More information on heat injuries and illnesses is discussed on this page, Heat Illness in Sports.

As mentioned on the Physiology of Sweat page, the only way to lose body heat, when exercising in hot environments, is through through the evaporation of sweat.

See the page Physical Activity and Perspiration for a section on sweat rates and exercise.

Effects

Heat gain of the body, and thus effects of exercising in the heat, would occur when environmental temperatures are greater than skin temperatures.

Exercise in the heat, for 10-14 days, at

• low-intensity, <50% VO2 max, and a long duration, 60-100 mins, or
• moderate to high intensity, 75% VO2 max, and a short duration, 30-35 mins,

results in,

• increased plasma volume, blood flow, perspiration
• increased VO2 max, maximal cardiac output, power output at the lactate threshold
• reduces body temperature and heart rate responses with submaximal exercise
• reduces salt loss on sweat and the occurrence of sodium depletion
• increases aerobic fitness capacity and performance

This is the process of acclimation and helps with safeguarding against heat illnesses.

Risks of prolonged exposure to the Heat

As mentioned on the Heat Illness in Sports page, prolonged sporting activities in the heat can cause adverse reactions, which could even result in death. It is important to recognize signs and symptoms, and prevent the onset of these illnesses rather than treat or manage the conditions.

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