exercise in the heat

Question 1

how does exercising in the heat effect performance?

Answer 1

leads to reduced performance and in extreme cases illness

Question 2

what is normal body temperature?

Answer 2

37 degree c

Question 3

what does thermoregulation do?

Answer 3

allows a performer to maintain their core body temperature to within +/- 1 degree c

Question 4

what does exercising in the heat cause?

Answer 4

the body will sweat, eventually leading to dehydration
also reduces the body’s ability to thermoregulate causing body temperature to increase

Question 5

how does cardiovascular drift occur and what is it?

Answer 5

occurs when exercising in hot conditions
excessive sweating to help reduce core temp
reduced blood plasma levels (water is stored in blood plasma)
increased blood viscosity
reduction of venous return
reduction of stroke volume
increased HR

Question 6

what is hyperthermia?

Answer 6

a rise in core body temperature of several degrees

Question 7

whats’s hyperthermia caused by?

Answer 7

prolonged high intensity exercise
high air humidity
high air temperatures

Question 8

what can hyperthermia lead to?

Answer 8

respiratory problems eg. restriction of airways which will increase breathing frequency

Question 9

what causes a performance to become under thermal strain?

Answer 9

hyperthermia combined with cardiovascular drift

Question 10

what percentage decrease in performance does thermal strain cause to endurance athletes?

Answer 10

up to 12%

Question 11

how can athlete acclimatise to heat?

Answer 11

by training in a hotter climate for 7-14 days
use of cooling aids