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  • Title: Exercise heat acclimation and post-exercise hot water immersion improve resting and exercise responses to heat stress in the elderly.
    Author: Waldock KAM, Gibson OR, Relf RL, Eichhorn G, Hayes M, Watt PW, Maxwell NS.
    Journal: J Sci Med Sport; 2021 Aug; 24(8):774-780. PubMed ID: 34158232.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of heat acclimation (HA) in the young (YEX) and elderly (EEX) following exercise-HA, and the elderly utilising post-exercise hot water immersion HA (EHWI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHOD: Twenty-six participants (YEX: n = 11 aged 22 ± 2 years, EEX:n = 8 aged 68 ± 3 years, EHWI: n = 7 aged 73 ± 3 years) completed two pre-/post-tests, separated by five intervention days. YEX and EEX exercised in hot conditions to raise rectal temperature (Trec) ≥38.5 °C within 60 min, with this increase maintained for a further 60 min. EHWI completed 30 min of cycling in temperate conditions, then 30 min of HWI (40 °C), followed by 30 min seated blanket wrap. Pre- and post-testing comprised 30 min rest, followed by 30 min of cycling exercise (3.5 W·kg-1 Ḣprod), and a six-minute walk test (6MWT), all in 35 °C, 50% RH. RESULTS: The HA protocols did not elicit different mean heart rate (HR), Trec, and duration Trec ≥ 38.5 °C (p > 0.05) between YEX, EEX, and EHWI groups. Resting Trec, peak skin temperature, systolic and mean arterial pressure, perceived exertion and thermal sensation decreased, and 6MWT distance increased pre- to post-HA (p < 0.05), with no difference between groups. YEX also demonstrated a reduction in resting HR (p < 0.05). No change was observed in peak Trec or HR, vascular conductance, sweat rate, or thermal comfort in any group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of age or intervention, HA induced thermoregulatory, perceptual and exercise performance improvements. Both exercise-HA (EEX), and post-exercise HWI (EHWI) are considered viable interventions to prepare the elderly for heat stress.
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