title: The effects of a heat acclimation protocol in persons with spinal cord injury.
abstract: Persons without spinal cord injury (SCI) physiologically acclimate between seven to fourteen consecutive days of exercise in the heat. Decreased resting and exercise core temperature, decreased heart rate, increased plasma volume and increased thermal comfort during exercise are changes consistent with heat acclimation. Autonomic dysfunction after SCI impairs heat dissipation through sweating and vasodilation. The purpose of this study is to determine if seven consecutive days of exercise in the heat would result in physiologic changes consistent with heat acclimation in persons with SCI. Ten persons with SCI divided into two groups: tetraplegia (n=5) and paraplegia (n=5) exercised in 35°C using an arm ergometer at 50% Wpeakfor 30min followed by 15min rest. This protocol was repeated over seven consecutive days. Heart rate (HR), skin temperature, aural temperature (Taur), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), rate of perceived thermal strain (RPTS), and plasma volume (PV) were measured throughout the protocol. There were no significant differences in resting Taurexercise Taur, mean skin temperature, HR, PV, RPE or RPTS over the 7 days for either the tetraplegic or paraplegic group. Participants with SCI did not demonstrate the ability to dissipate heat more efficiently over 7 days of exercise at 35°C. The lack of heat acclimation seen in persons with SCI has implications for the athlete and non-athlete alike. For the SCI athlete, inability to acclimate will impair performance and endurance especially in warm environments, compared to the person without SCI. For the SCI non-athlete, there is a greater risk of heat-related illness in warm environments that can negatively affect participation in outdoor activities and thus quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Stanford University, Department of Biology, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Electronic address: michelle.trbovich@va.gov.
authors.forename: Michelle B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Trbovich
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Stanford University, Department of Biology, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Jenny B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kiratli
authors.affiliation: Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry, UK CV1 5FB, USA.
authors.forename: Mike J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Price
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization; D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010953:Plasma Volume; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013817:Thermography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Heat acclimation; Spinal cord injury; Thermal strain; Thermoregulatory dysfunction