Abstract
Older adults typically experience greater levels of thermal strain during physical efforts in the heat compared to young individuals. While this may be related to an age-dependent reduction in whole-body sweating, no study has clearly delineated at what age this occurs. In the present study, we report direct measurements of human heat dissipation during physical activity in the heat in males ranging in age from 20–70 years. Eighty-five males performed four 15-min bouts of cycling separated by 15-min rest periods, in a calorimeter regulated to 35°C and 20% relative humidity. Direct calorimetry was used to measure total heat loss (whole-body evaporative heat loss and dry heat exchange). We also used indirect calorimetry as a continuous measure of metabolic heat production. Body heat storage was calculated as the temporal summation of heat production and total heat loss over the experimental session. Whole-body sweat rate (WBSR) was calculated from measurements of evaporative heat loss. Males were divided into five age categories for the analysis of WBSR and body heat storage: 20–31 years (n = 18), 40–44 years (n = 15), 45–49 years (n = 15), 50–55 years (n = 21) and 56–70 years (n = 16). Relative to young males, WBSR was reduced in males aged 56–70 during each exercise (all P<0.05), in males aged 50–55 during the second (P = 0.031) and third exercises (P = 0.028) and in males aged 45–49 during the final exercise bout (P = 0.046). Although not significantly different, 40–44 years old males also had a lower rate of heat loss compared to younger males. Over the sum of two hours, the change in body heat content was greater in males 40–70 years compared to young males (all P<0.05). Our findings suggest that middle-aged and older adults have impairments in heat dissipation when doing physical activity in the heat, thus possibly increasing their risk of heat-related illness under such conditions.
Highlights
It is generally understood that older adults ($60 years) experience greater thermal and/or cardiovascular strain during exposure to hot environments [1,2,3,4], and that this may be heightened when physical activity is performed in the heat [5]
The potential health risks associated with physical activity/work in the heat for the aging population and workforce are exacerbated by extreme heat events which are anticipated to increase in frequency, duration and intensity over the few decades [5,11]
In view of the fact that heat related illness can largely be prevented by identifying individuals who are at risk, the present study examined whole-body heat dissipation and heat storage during intermittent moderate intensity physical activity in the heat in a large sample of healthy males ranging in age from 20 to 70 years
Summary
It is generally understood that older adults ($60 years) experience greater thermal and/or cardiovascular strain during exposure to hot environments [1,2,3,4], and that this may be heightened when physical activity is performed in the heat [5]. In view of the fact that heat related illness (e.g. heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke) can largely be prevented by identifying individuals who are at risk, the present study examined whole-body heat dissipation and heat storage during intermittent moderate intensity physical activity in the heat in a large sample of healthy males ranging in age from 20 to 70 years. It was hypothesised that aging would be associated with a progressive decline in heat loss capacity, resulting in a greater change in body heat content among older males relative to young males
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