Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of utilizing heart rate to derive an estimate of core body temperature in American Football athletes. This was evaluated by combining commercially available Zephyr Bioharness devices, which includes an embedded estimated core temperature (ECT) algorithm, and an ingestible radio frequency core temperature pill during the highest heat injury risk timepoint of the season, summer training camp. Results showed a concordance of 0.643 and 78% of all data points fell within +/−1.0 °F. When the athletes were split into Upper (>/=6.0%) and Lower (<6.0%) body composition groups, there was a statistical improvement in accuracy with the Upper Body Fat% reaching 0.834 concordance and 93% of all values falling within +/−1.0 °F of the Gold Standard. Results suggest that heart rate derived core temperature assessments are a viable tool for heat stress monitoring in American football, but more work is required to improve on accuracy based on body composition.
Highlights
A growing abundance of applied sport science initiatives include strategies for mitigating the deleterious effects of heat stress, which are preventable through the implementation of proper training and effective heat stress monitoring (HSM) protocols
This, along with the data presented in this study suggest that modifications can be investigated in the estimated core temperature (ECT) algorithm to improve accuracy for lower body composition athletes
HSM is an important tool that can be used in exertional training settings to help reduce the risk of exertional heat illnesses (EHI)
Summary
A growing abundance of applied sport science initiatives include strategies for mitigating the deleterious effects of heat stress, which are preventable through the implementation of proper training and effective heat stress monitoring (HSM) protocols. The ramifications of heat stress, such as heat-induced severe cramping, edema, rhabdomyolysis, or heat strokes to name a few, are often characterized as exertional heat illnesses (EHI) [1,2,3,4], and arise when homeostasis cannot maintain a core body temperature beneath 40.5 ◦C (considered as excessive elevations in core body temperature during physical exertion). This process is primarily achieved through constant heat exchange between the human body and the ambient environment via evaporation, radiation, convection, and conduction [2]. Heat stress morbidity and mortality are largely avoidable with proper HSM protocols
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