Consensus Recommendations on Training and Competing in the Heat

Abstract

Exercising in the heat induces thermoregulatory and other physiological strain that can lead to impairments in endurance exercise capacity. The purpose of this consensus statement is to provide up-to-date recommendations to optimize performance during sporting activities undertaken in hot ambient conditions. The most important intervention one can adopt to reduce physiological strain and optimize performance is to heat acclimatize. Heat acclimatization should comprise repeated exercise–heat exposures over 1–2 weeks. In addition, athletes should initiate competition and training in an euhydrated state and minimize dehydration during exercise. Following the development of commercial cooling systems (e.g., cooling vests), athletes can implement cooling strategies to facilitate heat loss or increase heat storage capacity before training or competing in the heat. Moreover, event organizers should plan for large shaded areas, along with cooling and rehydration facilities, and schedule events in accordance with minimizing the health risks of athletes, especially in mass participation events and during the first hot days of the year. Following the recent examples of the 2008 Olympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, sport governing bodies should consider allowing additional (or longer) recovery periods between and during events for hydration and body cooling opportunities when competitions are held in the heat.

High intensity interval training in the heat enhances exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, but prevents protein oxidation in physically active men

“…It is well known that heat acclimatization improves thermal comfort and submaximal as well as maximal exercise performance in the heat as recently reviewed by Racinais et al. 37 Whether the responses observed in the present study holds true for non-acclimatized subjects is a matter that requires further investigation.…”

Selected In-Season Nutritional Strategies to Enhance Recovery for Team Sport Athletes: A Practical Overview

“…To achieve rapid and complete rehydration, expert panels recommend athletes drink 1.0–1.5 L of a sodium-containing (20–50 mmol/L) fluid for each kilogram of body mass lost [56, 57, 81]. Providing a chilled beverage with flavor and sweetness can improve beverage palatability and voluntary fluid intake after exercise [81].…”

Preparation of Paralympic Athletes; Environmental Concerns and Heat Acclimation

“…In preparation for competition in hot conditions, athletes generally consider heat acclimation (HA) or various cooling techniques to reduce heat strain and the subsequent risk of heat injury. Although HA is the key method recommended to optimize performance in hot conditions (Racinais et al, 2015 ) recommendations for reducing exertional heat injury for athletes with SCI are brief (Binkley et al, 2002 ) with no update in recent years (National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), 2014 ). Conversely, Griggs et al ( 2015 ) recently reviewed cooling strategies in athletes with SCI concluding that due to the athletes reduced heat dissipation potential, using water sprays and cooling garments may be of great benefit.…”