Garrett, A. T., Goossens, N. G., Rehrer, N. J., Patterson, M. J., & Cotter, J. D. (2003). The induction and decay of short-term heat acclimation. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(5), Supplement abstract 158.

This study investigated adaptation to and decay from short-term heat acclimation. Moderately trained males (N = 10) underwent heat acclimation for 90-min on five consecutive days (39.5^oC) under controlled hyperthermia. Ss completed a standardized heat stress test (90-min cycling at 40% peak power, followed by an incremental test) one week before acclimation and then on the second and eighth day following acclimation in 35^oC. Seven Ss completed further tests at two and three weeks after acclimation.

Rectal temperature was not affected by acclimation but at the end of exercise it was 0.3^oC lower. The decrease remained for one week but not two. A similar pattern was noted for heart rate. Performance after acclimation remained higher after one week but not two.

Implication. Short-term heat acclimation produced increased heat loss in exercise but not at rest. The adaptation lasted one week but had dissipated by the second week after acclimation.

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