NCT06672614

Postexercise Hot-Water Immersion on Exercise Performance in Hypoxia

Effect of Five Days of Postexercise Hot-Water Immersion on Exercise Performance in Hypoxia

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Nipissing University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 50 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of 5 days post-exercise hot water immersion on exercise performance at simulated altitude.

Detailed description

Human performance is compromised at altitude due to a lower partial pressure of oxygen and subsequent reductions in the convective transport of oxygen to tissue. Long-term acclimation to attitude incurs physiological adaptations that result in a near return to sea-level performance; however, the time required (\~2 weeks) for such adaptations is often logistically challenging for athletes, military personnel or other individuals who reside at sea level. Recent research suggests that physiological acclimation to heat stress (i.e., heat acclimation) and altitude (i.e., hypoxia) share similar cellular adaptations, namely an up-regulation of Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and various heat shock proteins. Therefore, it is hypothesized that heat acclimation may provide physiological protection from reduced oxygen transport to the tissue and enhance performance at altitude. This cross-tolerance model is supported by traditional heat acclimation protocols (i.e., submaximal exercise in hot ambient temperature); however, it has not been tested with passive exposure to heat stress through post-exercise hot water immersion.

Conditions

• Heat Exposure
• Exercise Training

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Post-Exercise Hot Water Immersion	Participants will cycle for 60 minutes at 50% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) followed by 30 minutes post-exercise hot water immersion (40oC) for 5 consecutive days.
OTHER	Control Group	Participants will cycle for 60 minutes at 50% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) for 5 consecutive days. There is no water immersion following the exercise.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-11-01
• Primary completion: 2025-10-31
• Completion: 2025-10-31
• First posted: 2024-11-04
• Last updated: 2024-11-04

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada