RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Heat Acclimation in Females

This study aims to understand how women's bodies get used to heat during exercise. When you spend time in hot conditions, your body adapts to cope better – this is called heat acclimation. We're investigating if continuing this special heat training (called 'heat acclimation maintenance') for three weeks after the initial training makes women perform even better when exercising in the heat. Researchers will measure things like heart function, blood volume, body temperature, and how well participants perform during exercise, both before and after different stages of heat training. The goal is to find the best way for women to prepare their bodies for exercising in hot weather.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Trinity Western University

Enrolment target

Start

01 Sep 2024

Estimated completion

24 Apr 2026

Heat Exposure Blood Volume Cardiac Output

What is this study about?

This study is looking into how women's bodies adapt to heat, especially when they're exercising. You might have noticed that if you spend time in a hot country, your body slowly gets used to the heat. This process is called "heat acclimation." It helps your body cope better with warm conditions, which is especially important if you're active or working outdoors when it's hot.

We know that global temperatures are rising, and heatwaves are becoming more common. This means more people are facing challenges when exercising or working outside in the heat. Getting too hot can make exercise harder and even lead to heat-related illnesses. The best way to help your body deal with heat is to gradually get it used to warmer conditions.

This research wants to find out if there's an even better way to do this for women. We're testing whether continuing a special heat training program for a few weeks after the initial heat adaptation period (we call this 'heat acclimation maintenance') makes women perform even better when they exercise in hot environments. This is particularly important because we don't have much information about how women, in particular, respond to heat training. The results from this study could help many women, especially those in demanding jobs or professional sports, to stay safe and perform well in the heat.

Key takeaways

Study examines how women's bodies adapt to heat during exercise.
Compares initial heat training to initial plus 'maintenance' training.
Aims to find best strategies for women exercising in hot weather.
Participants must be endurance athletes or engage in regular endurance exercise.
Measurements include heart function, blood volume, and performance.
Results could help women in sports or demanding jobs prepare for heat.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be a woman between 18 and 55 years old. You should also be comfortable with cycling and own a bicycle with a special 'smart trainer' or a power meter for indoor cycling.

Crucially, you should be an endurance athlete or someone who regularly does endurance exercise. Your body's ability to use oxygen during exercise, measured as VO2max, needs to be above a certain level (more than 40 ml/kg/min).

It's also important that you can speak, read, and write in English. You won't be able to join if you're pregnant, can't exercise, or have ever had problems with heat intolerance (meaning your body struggles to cope with heat).

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a woman between 18 and 55 years old?
Do you regularly do endurance exercise or consider yourself an endurance athlete?
Are you comfortable with cycling and do you own a bike with a smart trainer or power meter?
Can you speak, read, and write in English?
Are you NOT pregnant and have you never had problems with heat intolerance?
Are you able to exercise?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll be organised into one of two groups. Both groups will have several exercise tests in the heat (a 'heat performance test') at different points: before any training, after two weeks of heat training, and after another three weeks of 'maintenance' training.

If you're in the main study group, you'll do 10 heat training sessions over two weeks. After that, you'll do three more heat training sessions per week for three weeks (this is the 'maintenance' period). We'll measure things like your heart's ability to pump blood, your blood volume, and your body temperature before, during, and after these training periods. The control group will follow the same testing schedule but won't do any of the heat training sessions.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may help us understand how women can better prepare for exercising in hot conditions, which could benefit athletes and those working in the heat. There are no direct medical benefits to you personally, but you'll be contributing important information to science. As with any exercise, there's a risk of discomfort or minor injury. We will carefully monitor your body temperature and heart function. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Trinity Western Unversity
Verified postcode
Langley, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'heat acclimation'?

It's when your body gradually adapts to heat, helping it cope better when you're active in warm weather.

Why is this study only for women?

There isn't much research specifically on how women adapt to heat, so this study aims to fill that gap.

What kind of exercise will I do?

You'll be cycling, as familiarity with cycling and owning a bike/trainer is a requirement.

Will I get hot during the study?

Yes, the study involves exercising in hot conditions to see how your body adapts.

What does 'VO2max' mean?

It's a measure of how efficiently your body can use oxygen during intense exercise, showing your fitness level.

How to find out more

Anita T Coté, PhD

anita.cote@twu.ca 604.513.2121 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.