Individual characteristics associated with the magnitude of heat acclimation adaptations

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The magnitude of heat acclimation (HA) adaptations varies largely among individuals, but it remains unclear what factors influence this variability. This study compared individual characteristics related to fitness status and body dimensions of low-, medium-, and high responders to HA. Methods Twenty-four participants (9 female, 15 male; maximum oxygen uptake [$$\dot{{V}}$$ V ˙ O2peak,kg] 52 ± 9 mL kg−1 min−1) completed 10 daily controlled-hyperthermia HA sessions. Adaptations were evaluated by heat stress tests (HST; 35 min cycling 1.5 W  kg−1; 33 °C, 65% relative humidity) pre- and post-HA. Low-, medium-, and high responder groups were determined based on tertiles (n = 8) of individual adaptations for resting rectal temperature (Tre), exercise-induced Tre rise (ΔTre), whole-body sweat rate (WBSR), and heart rate (HR). Results Body dimensions (p > 0.3) and $$\dot{{V}}$$ V ˙ O2peak,kg (p > 0.052) did not differentiate low-, medium-, and high responders for resting Tre or ΔTre. High WBSR responders had a larger body mass and lower body surface area-to-mass ratio than low responders (83.0 ± 9.3 vs 67.5 ± 7.3 kg; 249 ± 12 vs 274 ± 15 cm2 kg−1, respectively; p < 0.005). Conversely, high HR responders had a smaller body mass than low responders (69.2 ± 6.8 vs 83.4 ± 9.4 kg; p = 0.02). $$\dot{{V}}$$ V ˙ O2peak,kg did not differ among levels of responsiveness for WBSR and HR (p > 0.3). Conclusion Individual body dimensions influenced the magnitude of sudomotor and cardiovascular adaptive responses, but did not differentiate Tre adaptations to HA. The influence of $$\dot{{V}}$$ V ˙ O2peak,kg on the magnitude of adaptations was limited.