title: Consensus Recommendations on Training and Competing in the Heat.
abstract: Exercising in the heat induces thermoregulatory and other physiological strain that can lead to impairments in endurance exercise capacity. The purpose of this consensus statement is to provide up-to-date recommendations to optimize performance during sporting activities undertaken in hot ambient conditions. The most important intervention one can adopt to reduce physiological strain and optimize performance is to heat acclimatize. Heat acclimatization should comprise repeated exercise-heat exposures over 1-2 weeks. In addition, athletes should initiate competition and training in an euhydrated state and minimize dehydration during exercise. Following the development of commercial cooling systems (e.g., cooling vests), athletes can implement cooling strategies to facilitate heat loss or increase heat storage capacity before training or competing in the heat. Moreover, event organizers should plan for large shaded areas, along with cooling and rehydration facilities, and schedule events in accordance with minimizing the health risks of athletes, especially in mass participation events and during the first hot days of the year. Following the recent examples of the 2008 Olympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, sport governing bodies should consider allowing additional (or longer) recovery periods between and during events for hydration and body cooling opportunities when competitions are held in the heat.
authors.affiliation: Aspetar, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Research and Education Centre, PO Box 29222, Doha, Qatar, sebastien.racinais@aspetar.com.
authors.forename: Sébastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Racinais
authors.forename: Juan-Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: Aaron J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Coutts
authors.forename: Andreas D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Flouris
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Girard
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: González-Alonso
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hausswirth
authors.forename: Ollie
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Jay
authors.forename: Jason K W
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: George P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Nassis
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nybo
authors.forename: Babette M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Pluim
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roelands
authors.forename: Michael N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Sawka
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wingo
authors.forename: Julien D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Périard
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D056352:Athletes; D001628:Beverages; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D003020:Clothing; D003080:Cold Temperature; D017679:Cryotherapy; D003681:Dehydration / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004777:Environment; D005334:Fever / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007053:Ice; D007101:Immersion; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000502:physiology; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D007053:Ice; D014867:Water