Symptoms Of Heat Illness Research Articles

Workplace induced heat-related-illness and kidney disorders amongst coal cutters of underground mines

Workers in hot underground coal mines could develop heat-related illnesses, (especially skin, digestion and kidney problems), as compared to workers in non-hot mines. This study found severity of this situation by comparing heat illness symptoms, core body and skin temperature and kidney malfunctioning amongst workers of both types of mines. Ingestible thermometric pills (sending readings to Sensor Electronic Module every 15 s), skin temperature probes (connected to various body parts and sending readings to loggers) and laboratory analysis of pre- and post-shift samples of blood and urine, US-NIOSH-HETA-2012 sheet to survey symptoms, were used to collect data from 50 workers (25 from five hot mines (G1) and 25 from five non-hot mines (G2)). Two mine groups showed significant differences ( p-value <.001) regarding wet-bulb globe temperature, dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity. The highest core body temperature was 38.8°C in G1 and 37.9°C in G2. In intra-group comparison for kidney functioning, post-shift samples showed haematocrit (%) was reduced to 43.6 ± 2.1 from 45.4 ± 1.4 in G1 and to 44.0 ± 2.9 from 45.0 ± 0.75 in G2, and estimated glomerular filtration rate was reduced from 100 ± 19 to 94 ± 0 mL/min/1.72 m2in G1 and to 113 ± 15 from 115 ± 19ain G2 workers. The comparison showed hot mines could induce heat-related illnesses which would necessitate intervention to reduce exposure.

Hydration and Performance in Young Triathletes During a Competition in Tropical Climate.

We examined fluid intake, the relation between body mass (BM) loss and performance, and core temperature in young triathletes during a competition in tropical climate. Fluid intake and pre and post BM were measured in 35 adolescent athletes, and core temperature was measured in one female and one male. Mean urine specific gravity (1.024 [0.007]) indicated that athletes were in suboptimal state of hydration upon waking. Race time was 73.2 (8.0)minutes. BM decreased by 0.6 (0.3)kg (P < .05). Fluid intake (528.5 [221.6]mL) replaced 47% of the fluid loss (1184.9 [256.4]mL) and was higher during run (11.5 [6.6]mL·min-1) compared to bike (7.3 [3.1]mL·min-1), P < .01. Loss in BM was ≥1.0% in 66% and ≥1.5% in 29% of the athletes. Males showed a moderate association between percentage loss in BM and finishing time (r = -.52), higher sweat rates (1.0 [0.3]L·h-1), and faster times (69.4 [7.5]min; P < .05). Core temperature rose to 40.1°C in the female and 39.6°C in the male. Young triathletes competing in a hot/humid climate became mildly to moderately dehydrated and hyperthermic even when water and sports drinks were available but did not show symptoms of heat illness.

Symptoms of heat illness and water consumption habits in mine industry workers over the summer months in Australia.

Mine industry workers (n=515) from various locations in Australia completed a questionnaire to assess the prevalence of symptoms associated with heat-related illness and water consumption habits during a summer season. Participants read from a pre-defined list and noted any heat-related symptoms that they had experienced. The most prevalent symptoms experienced were fatigue, headache, sweating, and dark coloured urine, with 77% of respondents reporting at least one symptom. Workers with shorter employment durations had higher rates of reporting multiple symptoms (rates ratios: 1.40-1.72). The most prevalent water consumption amounts over an 11-12 h shift were 2-4 L by 37.3% of total respondents, followed by 1-2 L by 36.5% of respondents. Employers should inform workers about the severe implications of heat-related illnesses, implement regular water breaks, and educate personnel about the importance of water intake. Providing employees with self-check methods of hydration status is recommended to increase awareness of their hydration status.

Comparing thermal strain in outdoor maintenance and indoor service workers in the mining industry during summer.

While working in the heat is a common practice within the Australian mining industry, it can lead to adverse effects on cognitive function, productivity, and physical health. This study aimed to compare the thermal strain experienced by maintenance workers and service workers in the mining industry during summer. Psycho-physiological parameters, manual dexterity, and cognitive function were assessed in maintenance workers (n = 12) and service workers (n = 12) employed at mine site villages in north-west Australia. Maintenance workers had the freedom to self-select their work intensity and predominantly worked outdoors (33.9±4.2°C, 38±18% RH), whereas service workers had to work to a fixed schedule and worked intermittently indoors (∼64% of work shift; 29.5±3.4°C, 48±8% RH) and outdoors (∼36%; 35.4±4.6°C, 47±21% RH). All workers underwent assessment at the beginning (day 2/3), middle (day 7/8), and end of their swing (day 13/14), at various time points throughout their 11-12 h shift. Service workers completed more steps (11282±1794 vs. 7774±2821; p<0.001), experienced a higher heart rate (p = 0.049) and reported higher ratings of perceived exertion (p<0.001), thermal discomfort (p<0.001), thermal sensation (p<0.001), and fatigue (p<0.012) compared to maintenance workers. Urinary specific gravity values were higher (less hydrated) in service workers (1.024±0.007) compared to maintenance workers (1.018±0.006; p = 0.007), with USG being overall higher post- compared to pre-shift (1.022±0.008 vs. 1.020±0.006; p<0.05). Core temperature, working memory capacity, processing speed and manual dexterity did not differ between occupations. Workers in hot environments who cannot self-select their work intensity should be educated about the importance of hydration before, during, and after their work-shifts and provided with more scheduled rest breaks during their shift. Employers should closely monitor workers for symptoms of heat illness, discomfort, and fatigue to ensure the health and safety of the workers.

Heat illness detection with heart rate variability analysis and anomaly detection algorithm

Objective:Incidence of heat illness has been increasing dramatically due to the progression of global warming. Preventing severe heat illness, called heatstroke, is crucial because it can lead to long-term multiple organ damage, including the brain, and results in more than 600 deaths per year in the United States. It has been reported that heat stress affects heart rate variability (HRV), which is the fluctuations of the R-R interval (RRI) on an electrocardiogram (ECG). We propose a method for detecting symptoms of heat illness based on HRV analysis in order to prevent exacerbation of heat illness. Methods:In the proposed method, monitoring abnormal changes in HRV caused by heat stress is monitored. Multivariate statistical process control (MSPC), a commonly used anomaly detection method in machine learning, is adopted for training the heat illness detection method. To validate the proposed method, we recruited 103 healthy volunteers with risks of heat illness development: employees working in hot environments, athletes, and amateur marathon runners. Data collection was performed using our wearable heart rate sensor and smartphone app. Results:The result of applying the proposed method showed that a sensitivity of 75% (21 out of 28 cases) and a false-positive rate of 1.02 times per hour were achieved. Conclusion:The proposed heat illness detection method will be used in daily life because RRI data can be easily measured by a wearable sensor. Significance:The proposed method will contribute to receiving appropriate treatment for heat illness before exacerbation, which contributes to protecting people’s health.

Physical symptoms provoked by normobaric hot and humid disabled pressurized rescue module scenarios

We tested the hypothesis that thermal discomfort will be greater, mood will be worse, and physical symptoms of heat illness will be exacerbated with elevations in dry bulb temperature during exposure to &gt;95% relative humidity disabled pressurized rescue module simulation. On three occasions, 15 healthy males (23 ± 3 years) sat in 32.1 ± 0.1°C, 33.1 ± 0.2°C or 35.0 ± 0.1°C, and 95 ± 2% relative humidity normobaric environments for eight hours. Thermal discomfort (visual analog scale), mood (profile of mood states), and physical symptoms of heat illness, ear-nose-throat, and muscle discomfort (environmental symptoms questionnaire) were assessed before and following each hour of exposure. Thermal discomfort was greater throughout the exposure in 35°C versus both 32°C and 33°C (p ≥ 0.03) and did not differ between the latter conditions (p ≥ 0.07). Mood worsened over time in all trials (p &lt; 0.01) and was worse in 35°C compared to 32°C and 33°C after five hours of exposure (p ≤ 0.05). Heat illness symptoms increased over time in all trials and was greater in 35°C versus 32°C and 33°C throughout the exposure (p ≤ 0.04). Ear-nose-throat and muscle discomfort symptoms increased over time in all trials (p &lt; 0.01) and were higher in 35°C versus 32°C and 33°C after the sixth hour of exposure (p ≤ 0.02). In support of our hypothesis, mood was worse, physical symptoms of heat illness, and ear-nose-throat and muscle discomfort symptoms were exacerbated, and thermal discomfort was greater with elevations in dry bulb temperature during an eight-hour exposure to a &gt;95% relative humidity disabled PRM simulation.

Athlete Medical Services at the Marathon and Race Walking Events During Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Epidemiological data from race walk and marathon events suggest that a high incidence rate of exertional heat illness is associated with high ambient temperature and relative humidity. The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo was no exception, which led the organizing committee to relocate the race walk and marathon competitions to Sapporo, which was predicted to experience much milder heat. Nonetheless, during the Games, Sapporo recorded the highest daytime ambient temperature in the past 97 years, with consecutive days over 30°C from July 22nd to August 7th, 2021. Five events (men's and women's 20 km race walk, men's 50 km race walk, women's and men's marathon) were held in Sapporo from August 5th to August 8th, 2021. The percentage of athletes who did not finish (DNF) in each event was 8.8% in men's 20 km race walk, 20.3% in men's 50 km race walk, 8.6% in women's 20 km race walk, 17.1% in women's marathon and 28.3% in men's marathon. A total of fifty athletes were transferred to the athlete medical station: 28 athletes completed the race (i.e., collapsed after finish line), while 24 were DNF athletes transported from the course. Forty-eight (96%) of athletes who were admitted to the athlete medical station exhibited signs and symptoms of exertional heat illness. Two athletes diagnosed with exertional heat stroke and three athletes diagnosed with severe heat exhaustion (rectal body temperature >39.5°C with or without central nervous system disturbance) were cooled using whole-body cold water immersion at the heat deck located within the athlete medical station. All athletes who were cooled successfully recovered without any complications. These athletes required an average of 14 ± 9.4 min (range, 6–30 min) to cool their rectal temperature below 39°C. These results show the importance for event organizers to prepare strategies to keep athletes cool, such as an ample amount of ice and water to supply whole-body cold water immersion.

Sunburns and Sun Protection Behaviors among Male Hispanic Outdoor Day Laborers.

Individuals who work outside are at increased risk for skin cancer due to excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Little is known about UV exposures and sun safety practices of outdoor day laborers, who are disproportionately Hispanic. This study identified the correlates of sunburn and sun protection behaviors in a sample of male, Hispanic day laborers (n = 175). More than half of the participants (54.9%) experienced one or more sunburns when working during the past summer, and 62.9% reported having one or more symptoms of heat illness. The frequency of engaging in sun protection behaviors was suboptimal, including sunglasses use (M = 2.68, SD = 1.71), staying in the shade (M = 2.30, SD = 0.94), wearing sunscreen (M = 2.10, SD = 1.39), and wearing a wide-brimmed hat (M = 1.75, SD = 1.32), based on a 5-point scale (1 = never; 5 = always). Lower education level, higher levels of skin sensitivity to the sun, any symptom of heat illness, fewer barriers to wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and not wearing a wide-brimmed hat were associated with a greater number of sunburns. Factors associated with each sun protection behavior varied. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Gait instability and estimated core temperature predict exertional heat stroke

ObjectiveExertional heat stroke (EHS), characterised by a high core body temperature (Tcr) and central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, is a concern for athletes, workers and military personnel who must train...

The relationship between physiological and performance variables during a hot/humid international rugby sevens tournament

ABSTRACT To characterise physiological responses to competing in an international rugby sevens tournament played in hot/humid conditions, core temperature (Tc) and Tc predictors were collected from 11 elite men’s rugby sevens athletes competing in the Oceania sevens tournament in Suva, Fiji. Tc, body mass change, sweat electrolytes, playing minutes, total running distance, high speed running distance (HSD), psychrometric wet bulb temperature and exertional heat illness symptoms were collected pre, during and post games. Linear mixed-models were used to assess the effect of Tc predictors on post-game Tc, along with differences in Tc across measurement periods. Compared to baseline on both tournament days, mean Tc was higher during all between game (recovery) measures (all d >1.30, p <0.01). On both tournament days, eight athletes reached a post-game Tc >39.0°C, with several athletes reaching >39.0°C during warm-ups. Mean post-game Tc was related to playing minutes, total running distance, HSD, and post warm-up Tc (all p < 0.01). The Tc during warm-ups and games regularly exceeded those demonstrated to be detrimental to repeated sprint performance (> 39°C). Warm-up Tc represents the easiest predictor of post-game Tc to control via time/intensity modulation and the use of appropriate pre- and per-cooling strategies. Practitioners should be prepared to modulate warm-ups and other heat preparation strategies based on likely environmental conditions during hot/humid tournaments.

Extreme heat experienced by pregnant subsistence farmers in The Gambia: impact on maternal physiology and fetal distress

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Global heating will result in increased severity, duration and frequency of extreme heat in many parts of the world. Those at most risk of adverse health effects due to heat include infants, the elderly, pregnant women and outdoor labourers. In Sub-Saharan Africa women make up approximately 50% of the agricultural workforce and often work throughout pregnancy. The impact of heat on the physiology of pregnant women and fetal physiology are largely unknown. This study assessed the direct heat exposure of pregnant farmers in The Gambia, the rate of heat strain or heat illness symptoms and the impact on fetal distress by measuring placental blood flow and fetal heart rate. METHODS: This was an observational cohort study of pregnant subsistence farmers in rural Gambia who farmed during their pregnancy. Exposure was directly measured in the field. Participants wore an Equivital TM device that measured heart rate, skin temperature, respiratory rate and tri-axis accelerometry. In the field, fetal monitoring was achieved using a portable doppler device (UmbiFlow TM) and portable fetal heart rate monitor. RESULTS:92 participants competed at least one field visit prior to delivery. Mean age of participants was 30.0 years, median gravida was 4.5 (range 1-12) and median parity was 3 (range 0-10). Only 2/92 (2%) participants experienced a rise in core temperature to 38°C. 62/92 (67%) participants experienced at least one symptom of heat illness during their field visit. 6/92 (7%) participants demonstrated placental insufficiency at baseline according to UmbiFlow TM umbilical doppler scan, with 29/86 (33.7%) demonstrating acute fetal distress in the field. Development of placental insufficiency correlated with Wet Bulb Globe Temperature exposure. CONCLUSIONS:This study gives preliminary evidence of the impact of maternal heat exposure on placental blood flow. KEYWORDS: fetal distress, Temperature extremes, Pregnancy outcomes

Characteristics of Prehospital Heat Illness Cases During the Annual Heat Wave Period in Telangana, India.

Global warming and more intense heat wave periods impact health. Heat illness during heat waves has not been studied in the prehospital setting of a low- and middle-income country (LMIC). Early intervention in the community and in the prehospital setting can improve outcomes. Hence, this paper aims to describe the characteristics of heat illness patients utilizing the ambulance service in Telangana state, India with the aim of optimizing public prevention and first aid strategies and prehospital response to this growing problem. This retrospective observational study reviewed patients presenting to Telangana's prehospital emergency care system with heat illness symptoms during the heat wave period from March through June in 2018 and 2019. Descriptive analysis was done on the prehospital, dispatch, and environmental data looking at the patients' characteristics and prehospital intervention. There were 295 cases in 2018 and 230 cases in 2019 from March-June. The overall incidence of calls with heat illness symptoms was 1.5 cases per 100,000 people. The Scheduled Tribes (ST) had the highest incidence of 4.5 per 100,000 people. Over 96% were from the white income group (below poverty line) while two percent were from the pink income group (above poverty line). From geospatial mapping of the cases, the highest incidence of calls came from the rural, tribal areas. However, the time to response in rural areas was longer than that in an urban area. Males with an average age of 47 were more likely to be affected. The three most common symptoms recorded by the first responders were vomiting (44.4%), general weakness (28.7%), and diarrhea (15.9%). The three most common medical interventions on scene were oxygen therapy (35.1%), oral rehydration salt (ORS) solution administration (26.9%), and intravenous fluid administration (27.0%), with cold sponging infrequently mentioned. This descriptive study provides a snapshot of the regions and groups of people most affected by heat illness during heat waves and the heterogeneous symptom presentation and challenges with management in the prehospital setting. These data may aid planning of prehospital resources and preparation of community first responders during heat wave periods.

The Appropriation of Product Design as Solution to Minimise Risk of Exertional Heat Illness among Marathon Runners

The intensity of environmental heat stress during a marathon race increases the runner's metabolic heat production. Based on series of participatory studies and interview sessions with 100 respondents among runners, the contributing factors to this homeostatic imbalance risk are the excessive amount of body-water deficit from extensive sweating, and the rapid increase of cardiovascular and thermal strain while running. In addition, environmental factors such as humidity, the increase of air temperature, wind speed and solar radiation contribute to the marathon runner's low performance during running with the paucity of cooling strategy that results in the increase of core body temperature with symptoms of exertional heat illness. This paper elucidates the integration of the statistical and theoretical studies of exertional heat illness and the human physiological responses complementing with the product design context. The integration demonstrates the synchronisation of design thinking process within the ergonomics ergosystem framework to develop the appropriate prototype design for marathon runners. As outcome, this research has successfully developed a running suit as its design proposal to minimise exertional heat illness risk and promote the runner's safety, wellbeing and performance in the heat.

Community-based maternal health workers’ perspectives on heat risk and safety: a pilot qualitative study

In this study the authors examined how maternal health workers (MHWs) perceive the health risks of extreme heat exposure to pregnant women and fetuses. The authors conducted interviews with 12 MHWs (including midwives and doulas) in El Paso, Texas. Using qualitative analysis, the researchers identified numerous themes. Although heat was not communicated as a major health risk, participants expressed some concern with growing heat exposure and communicated standard protective measures. While all participants were familiar with some heat illness symptoms, they were generally unaware of their clients’ vulnerability. MHWs’ minimal heat-risk knowledge leaves pregnant women and developing fetuses at risk of preventable harm.

JA:2021-35. Knowledge of Heat-Related Illness First Aid in Migrant Farmworkers: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Purpose: The last 5 years have been the hottest years on record during the modern era. Due to increasing temperatures, outdoor workers are exposed to hotter working conditions and are at increasing risk for suffering from heat-related illness, heat stroke, and death. Unfortunately, a migrant farmworker died from heat stoke during 2018 in Southern Georgia, precipitating the need to understand baseline knowledge of heat-illness among farmworkers in Georgia, in partnership with the Farmworker Family Health Program. Methods: Migrant farmworkers (n = 60), mean age of 28.75 years, 81.7% born male/identified as male, were surveyed to assess knowledge of heat-related illness first-aid. The survey used in this study was adapted from the Questionnaire for Heat-related Illness among Migrant Farmworker Populations in Southern Georgia, and the pilot questions on heat-related illness first aid were developed using the NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments. Results: Most knowledge-focused questions of heat-related illness were answered incorrectly by more than 50% of workers. Only 26.7% of workers identified the period of time to acclimatization, 0% of workers were able to identify the ten symptoms of heat-illness, and 45% of workers were able to correctly identify that if someone was sweating they could still be experiencing heat stroke. Of the workers, 50% knew that 9-1-1 was the emergency assistance number, only 20% of workers were able to identify the time between symptom onset and calling 9-1-1, and 0% of workers were able to correctly identify the anatomical locations to help cool a person experiencing heat stroke. Conclusions: Farmworkers lack the appropriate level of knowledge to provide sufficient first-aid to a co-worker experiencing heat illness. The results of this study highlight the need to empower migrant farmworkers and employers in Southern Georgia through additional training so they can gain the first-aid knowledge necessary to prevent morbidity and mortality in high-heat conditions.

Elite Female Rugby Sevens Tournament Match-Play - Core Temperature Changes

PURPOSE: Characterise player core temperature (Tc) across a World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series (WRWSS) tournament day and determine the efficacy of commonly employed cold water immersion (CWI) protocols. METHODS: Tc was measured in twelve elite female rugby sevens athletes across 3 games (G1-3) from day 1 of the Sydney WRWSS tournament. Exertional heat illness symptoms, perceptual scales, CWI details, playing minutes, external load data (measured by Global Positioning Systems) and wet blub globe temperature (range: 18.5–20.1°C) were also collected. Linear mixed models and magnitude-based inferences were used to assess differences in Tc between periods [G1-3 and warm-ups (WU)]. RESULTS: Average Tc was very likely lower (ES; ±90% CL, -0.33; ±0.18) in G1 compared to G2. Peak Tc was very likely (0.71; ±0.28) associated with increased playing time. CWI did not remove the accumulated Tc due to WU and match-play activity (~1–2°C rise in Tc still present compared to Tc at WU onset for players ≥ 6 min match-play). CONCLUSIONS: Elite female WRWSS athletes experienced high Tc during WU (Tc peak 37.9 –39.0°C) and matches (Tc peak 37.9–39.8°C), a magnitude known to reduce intermittent high-intensity physical performance (≥39°C). The CWI protocol resulted in players (≥ 6 min match-play) with a ~1–2°C raised Tc compared to Tc at WU onset.

Care provider assessment of thermal state of children in day-care centers

Young children are vulnerable to extreme temperatures due to their physiological and anatomical characteristics and behavioural dependability. The latter is a relatively unexplored area. Therefore, the current study investigated the skin temperature as a proxy of the thermal state of children and care providers in day-care centers, the ability of the care providers to estimate the thermal state of the children and their knowledge on this topic. Results from 104 children (<four years old) and 58 care providers recruited from six different day-care centers in winter and summer in the Netherlands show that there was no difference in thermal state between the children and care providers. A significant relation (p < 0.05) was found between skin temperature of the care providers and thermal sensation in winter and summer, but not for the skin temperature of the children and the assessed thermal sensation score of the children by the care providers (p > 0.05). Furthermore, many care providers had difficulties naming symptoms of heat illness and the care providers with ≤5 years work experience had a lower knowledge level of thermoregulation than care providers with >5 years work experience. It is recommended to train care providers in thermal assessment, in particular novice care providers that have less knowledge on this topic.

Core Temperature Responses to Elite Racewalking Competition.

The core temperature responses during exercise and effects of different cooling strategies on endurance performance under heat stress have been investigated in recreational athletes. This investigation aimed to determine peak rectal temperatures during elite racewalking competitions and to detail any cooling strategies used. Rectal temperature was measured in 14 heat-adapted elite/preelite race walkers (9 females) via a telemetric capsule across 4 outdoor events, including the 2018 Commonwealth Games (race 1: 20km, 25°C, 74% relative humidity [RH], n = 2) and 3 International Association of Athletics Federations-sanctioned 10-km events (race 2: 19°C, 34% RH, n = 2; race 3: 29°C, 47% RH, n = 14; and race 4: 23°C, 72% RH, n = 11). All athletes completed race 3, and a subsample completed the other events. Their use of cooling strategies and symptoms of heat illness were determined. Peak rectal temperatures >40°C were observed in all events. The highest rectal temperature observed during an event was 41.2°C. These high rectal temperatures were observed without concomitant heat illness, with the exception of cramping in one athlete during race 1. The rectal temperatures tended to reach a steady state in the second half of the 20-km event, but no steady state was observed in the 10-km events. The athletes used cooling strategies in race 1 only, implementing different combinations of cold-water immersion, ice-slurry ingestion, ice-towel application, ice-vest application, and facial water spraying. Elite/preelite race walkers experience rectal temperatures >40°C during competition despite only moderate-warm conditions, and even when precooling and midcooling strategies are applied.

Changes in Core Temperature During an Elite Female Rugby Sevens Tournament.

To characterize player core temperature (Tc) across a World Rugby Women's Sevens Series tournament day (WRWSS) and determine the efficacy of commonly employed cold-water-immersion (CWI) protocols. Tc was measured in 12 elite female rugby sevens athletes across 3 games (G1-3) from day 1 of the Sydney WRWSS tournament. Symptoms of exertional heat illness, perceptual scales, CWI details, playing minutes, external-load data (measured by global positioning systems), and wet-bulb globe temperature (range 18.5°C-20.1°C) were also collected. Linear mixed models and magnitude-based inferences were used to assess differences in Tc between periods (G1-3 and warm-ups [WU]). Average Tc was "very likely" lower (effect size; ±90% confidence limit -0.33; ±0.18) in G1 than in G2. Peak Tc was "very likely" (0.71; ±0.28) associated with increased playing time. CWI did not remove the accumulated Tc due to WU and match-play activity (∼1°C-2°C rise in Tc still present compared with Tc at WU onset for players ≥6-min match play). Elite WRWSS athletes experienced high Tc during WU (Tc peak 37.9-39.0°C) and matches (Tc peak 37.9-39.8°C), a magnitude known to reduce intermittent high-intensity physical performance (≥39°C). The CWI protocol resulted in players (≥6-min match play) with ∼1°C to 2°C raised Tc compared with Tc at WU onset.

High Thermoregulatory Strain During Competitive Paratriathlon Racing in the Heat.

Paratriathletes may display impairments in autonomic (sudomotor and/or vasomotor function) or behavioral (drinking and/or pacing of effort) thermoregulation. As such, this study aimed to describe the thermoregulatory profile of athletes competing in the heat. Core temperature (Tc) was recorded at 30-second intervals in 28 mixed-impairment paratriathletes during competition in a hot environment (air temperature = 33°C, relative humidity = 35%-41%, and water temperature = 25°C-27°C), via an ingestible temperature sensor (BodyCap e-Celsius). Furthermore, in a subset of 9 athletes, skin temperature was measured. Athletes' wetsuit use was noted while heat illness symptoms were self-reported postrace. In total, 22 athletes displayed a Tc ≥ 39.5°C with 8 athletes ≥40.0°C. There were increases across the average Tc for swim, bike, and run sections (P ≤ .016). There was no change in skin temperature during the race (P ≥ .086). Visually impaired athletes displayed a significantly greater Tc during the run section than athletes in a wheelchair (P ≤ .021). Athletes wearing a wetsuit (57% athletes) had a greater Tc when swimming (P ≤ .032), whereas those reporting heat illness symptoms (57% athletes) displayed a greater Tc at various time points (P ≤ .046). Paratriathletes face significant thermal strain during competition in the heat, as evidenced by high Tc, relative to previous research in able-bodied athletes and a high incidence of self-reported heat illness symptomatology. Differences in the Tc profile exist depending on athletes' race category and wetsuit use.