Uncoupling psychological from physiological markers of heat acclimatization in a military context

Publication date: Available online 24 August 2018Source: Journal of Thermal BiologyAuthor(s): Alexandra Malgoyre, Pierre-Emmnauel Tardo-Dino, Nathalie Koulmann, Benoit Lepetit, Loïc Jousseaume, Keyne CharlotAbstractHeat acclimatization may help personnel who travel to areas with a hot climate (WBGT>27 °C), making them operationally more efficient and performant through improvements in physiological and psychological parameters. Their work-related physical activities may aid active heat acclimatization. However, it is unknown whether adding physical training to improve adaptation is effective, particularly if there is sufficient time for full acclimatization, classically reached after 15 days. Thirty French soldiers (Training group, T) performed a progressive and moderate (from three to five 8-min running sets at 50 to 60% of their speed at VO2max with 4-min periods of active recovery in between) aerobic training program upon arriving at their base in United Arab Emirates (~40 °C and 20% RH). A control group (30 soldiers; No Training, NT) continued to perform only their usual outdoor military activities (~5 h.d−1). A field heat stress test (HST: three 8-min running sets at 50% of the speed at VO2max) was performed before (D0), during (D10), and after (D15) the heat acclimatization period to assess physiological and psychological changes. An 8-km trial in battledress was then performed at D17. Although physiological modifications were mostly similar (p<0...
Source: Journal of Thermal Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: research