The heat tolerance test: an efficient screening tool for evaluating susceptibility to heat.
BACKGROUND
Individuals in the population who are not able to sustain heat and whose body temperature will start rising earlier and at a higher rate than that of others, under the same conditions, are defined as "heat intolerant."


OBJECTIVE
The applicability of the heat tolerance test (HTT) in identifying individuals' tolerance/intolerance to heat is presented.


METHODS
HTT is performed according to the following protocol: 120 minutes exposure to 40 degrees C and 40% relative humidity in a climatic chamber while walking on a treadmill, dressed in shorts and T-shirt, at a pace of 5 km/h and 2% elevation. Rectal temperature and heart rate are continuously monitored, and sweat rate is calculated.


CONCLUSIONS
The HTT that is based on controlled exposure to an exercise-heat stress is an applicable and an efficient tool in differentiating between a temporary and permanent state of heat susceptibility.
Moran
Daniel S
DS
Heller Institute of Medical Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. dmoran@sheba.health.gov.il
Erlich
Tomer
T
Epstein
Yoram
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D018883:Heat Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008889:Military Personnel