Physiological limits to exercise performance in the heat

Abstract

Exercise in the heat results in major alterations in cardiovascular, thermoregulatory, metabolic and neuromuscular function. Hyperthermia appears to be the key determinant of exercise performance in the heat. Thus, strategies that attenuate the rise in core temperature contribute to enhanced exercise performance. These include heat acclimatization, pre-exercise cooling and fluid ingestion which have all been shown to result in reduced physiological and psychophysical strain during exercise in the heat and improved performance.