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Heat Acclimation

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Sport and Physical Activity in the Heat

Abstract

Heat acclimation represents a multitude of physiological adaptations that reduce cardiovascular, thermoregulatory, and metabolic strain during physical activity in the heat. Through these adaptations, exertional heat illness risk is reduced and endurance performance in the heat is improved. Although recent work has highlighted the ergogenic and prophylactic properties of heat acclimation, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning heat acclimation adaptation, induction, and decay remains incomplete and worthy of study. Emerging research suggests heat acclimation may also provide cross-adaptation to other environmental extremes and stressors, mitigating physiological stress and enhancing performance. This chapter will review the physiological changes attributed to heat acclimation and discuss practical considerations to safely and effectively implement heat acclimation in single sport and team-sport athletes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, Central California Sports Sciences Institute, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA, USA

    J. Luke Pryor PhD, ATC, CSCS

  2. Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA

    Christopher T. Minson PhD

  3. College of Health and Human Services, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA

    Michael S. Ferrara PhD, ATC, FNATA (KSI Medical & Science Advisory Board Member)

Authors
  1. J. Luke Pryor PhD, ATC, CSCS
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  2. Christopher T. Minson PhD
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  3. Michael S. Ferrara PhD, ATC, FNATA
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Luke Pryor PhD, ATC, CSCS .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology Director, Athletic Training Education Research Associate, Human Performance Laboratory College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA

    Douglas J. Casa

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Pryor, J.L., Minson, C.T., Ferrara, M.S. (2018). Heat Acclimation. In: Casa, D. (eds) Sport and Physical Activity in the Heat. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70217-9_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70217-9_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-70216-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-70217-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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