scholarly journals Impact of a Cold Environment on the Performance of Professional Cyclists: A Pilot Study

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1326
Author(s):  
Florence Riera ◽  
Samuel Bellenoue ◽  
Simon Fischer ◽  
Henri Méric

The practice of physical activity in a variable climate during the same competition is becoming more and more common due to climate change and increasingly frequent climate disturbances. The main aim of this pilot study was to understand the impact of cold ambient temperature on performance factors during a professional cycling race. Six professional athletes (age = 27 ± 2.7 years; height = 180.86 ± 5.81 cm; weight = 74.09 ± 9.11 kg; % fat mass = 8.01 ± 2.47%; maximum aerobic power (MAP) = 473 ± 26.28 W, undertook ~20 h training each week at the time of the study) participated in the Tour de la Provence under cold environmental conditions (the ambient temperature was 15.6 ± 1.4 °C with a relative humidity of 41 ± 8.5% and the normalized ambient temperature (Tawc) was 7.77 ± 2.04 °C). Body core temperature (Tco) was measured with an ingestible capsule. Heart rate (HR), power, speed, cadence and the elevation gradient were read from the cyclists’ onboard performance monitors. The interaction (multivariate analysis of variance) of the Tawc and the elevation gradient has a significant impact (F(1.5) = 32.2; p < 0.001) on the variables (cadence, power, velocity, core temperature, heart rate) and on each individual. Thus, this pilot study shows that in cold environmental conditions, the athlete’s performance was limited by weather parameters (ambient temperature associated with air velocity) and race characteristics. The interaction of Tawc and elevation gradient significantly influences thermal (Tco), physiological (HR) and performance (power, speed and cadence) factors. Therefore, it is advisable to develop warm-up, hydration and clothing strategies for competitive cycling under cold ambient conditions and to acclimatize to the cold by training in the same conditions to those that may be encountered in competition.

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (2) ◽  
pp. F309-F315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joo Lee Cham ◽  
Emilio Badoer

Redistribution of blood from the viscera to the peripheral vasculature is the major cardiovascular response designed to restore thermoregulatory homeostasis after an elevation in body core temperature. In this study, we investigated the role of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in the reflex decrease in renal blood flow that is induced by hyperthermia, as this brain region is known to play a key role in renal function and may contribute to the central pathways underlying thermoregulatory responses. In anesthetized rats, blood pressure, heart rate, renal blood flow, and tail skin temperature were recorded in response to elevating body core temperature. In the control group, saline was microinjected bilaterally into the PVN; in the second group, muscimol (1 nmol in 100 nl per side) was microinjected to inhibit neuronal activity in the PVN; and in a third group, muscimol was microinjected outside the PVN. Compared with control, microinjection of muscimol into the PVN did not significantly affect the blood pressure or heart rate responses. However, the normal reflex reduction in renal blood flow observed in response to hyperthermia in the control group (∼70% from a resting level of 11.5 ml/min) was abolished by the microinjection of muscimol into the PVN (maximum reduction of 8% from a resting of 9.1 ml/min). This effect was specific to the PVN since microinjection of muscimol outside the PVN did not prevent the normal renal blood flow response. The data suggest that the PVN plays an essential role in the reflex decrease in renal blood flow elicited by hyperthermia.


2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 426-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastien Racinais ◽  
Sebastien Moussay ◽  
David Nichols ◽  
Gavin Travers ◽  
Taoufik Belfekih ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo characterise the core temperature response and power output profile of elite male and female cyclists during the 2016 UCI Road World Championships. This may contribute to formulating environmental heat stress policies.MethodsCore temperature was recorded via an ingestible capsule in 10, 15 and 15 cyclists during the team time trial (TTT), individual time trial (ITT) and road race (RR), respectively. Power output and heart rate were extracted from individual cycling computers. Ambient conditions in direct sunlight were hot (37°C±3°C) but dry (25%±16% relative humidity), corresponding to a wet-bulb globe temperature of 27°C±2°C.ResultsCore temperature increased during all races (p<0.001), reaching higher peak values in TTT (39.8°C±0.9°C) and ITT (39.8°C±0.4°C), relative to RR (39.2°C±0.4°C, p<0.001). The highest temperature recorded was 41.5°C (TTT). Power output was significantly higher during TTT (4.7±0.3 W/kg) and ITT (4.9±0.5 W/kg) than RR (2.7±0.4 W/kg, p<0.001). Heart rate increased during the TTs (p<0.001) while power output decreased (p<0.001).Conclusion85% of the cyclists participating in the study (ie, 34 of 40) reached a core temperature of at least 39°C with 25% (ie, 10 of 40) exceeding 40°C. Higher core temperatures were reached during the time trials than the RR.


Author(s):  
Brendan W. Kaiser ◽  
Ka'eo K. Kruse ◽  
Brandon M. Gibson ◽  
Kelsey J. Santisteban ◽  
Emily A. Larson ◽  
...  

Critical power (CP) delineates the heavy and severe exercise intensity domains, and sustained work rates above CP result in an inexorable progression of oxygen uptake to a maximal value and, subsequently, the limit of exercise tolerance. The finite work capacity above CP, W′, is defined by the curvature constant of the power-duration relationship. Heavy or severe exercise in a hot environment generates additional challenges related to the rise in body core temperature (Tc) that may impact CP and W′. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of elevated Tc on CP and W′. CP and W′ were estimated by end-test power (EP; mean of final 30s) and work above end-test power (WEP), respectively, from 3-min "all-out" tests performed on a cycle ergometer. Volunteers (n = 8, 4 female) performed the 3-min tests during a familiarization visit and two experimental visits (Thermoneutral vs Hot, randomized crossover design). Before experimental 3-min tests, subjects were immersed in water (Thermoneutral: 36°C for 30 min; Hot: 40.5°C until Tc was ≥ 38.5°C). Mean Tc was significantly greater in Hot compared to Thermoneutral (38.5±0.0°C vs. 37.4±0.2°C; mean±SD, P<0.01). All 3-min tests were performed in an environmental chamber (Thermoneutral: 18°C, 45% RH; Hot: 38°C, 40% RH). EP was similar between Thermoneutral (239 ± 57W) and Hot (234 ± 66W; P = 0.55). WEP was similar between Thermoneutral (10.9 ± 3.0 kJ) and Hot (9.3 ± 3.6; P = 0.19). These results suggest that elevated Tc has no significant impact on EP or WEP.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleena Joy ◽  
Frank R. Dunshea ◽  
Brian J. Leury ◽  
Iain J. Clarke ◽  
Kristy DiGiacomo ◽  
...  

Climate change is a major global threat to the sustainability of livestock systems. Climatic factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, direct and indirect solar radiation and wind speed influence feed and water availability, fodder quality and disease occurrence, with production being most efficient in optimal environmental conditions. Among these climatic variables, ambient temperature fluctuations have the most impact on livestock production and animal welfare. Continuous exposure of the animals to heat stress compromises growth, milk and meat production and reproduction. The capacity of an animal to mitigate effects of increased environmental temperature, without progressing into stress response, differs within and between species. Comparatively, small ruminants are better adapted to hot environments than large ruminants and have better ability to survive, produce and reproduce in harsh climatic regions. Nevertheless, the physiological and behavioral changes in response to hot environments affect small ruminant production. It has been found that tropical breeds are more adaptive to hot climates than high-producing temperate breeds. The growing body of knowledge on the negative impact of heat stress on small ruminant production and welfare will assist in the development of suitable strategies to mitigate heat stress. Selection of thermotolerant breeds, through identification of genetic traits for adaption to extreme environmental conditions (high temperature, feed scarcity, water scarcity), is a viable strategy to combat climate change and minimize the impact on small ruminant production and welfare. This review highlights such adaption within and among different breeds of small ruminants challenged by heat stress.


2008 ◽  
Vol 108 (4) ◽  
pp. 659-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gian Paolo Volpato ◽  
Robert Searles ◽  
Binglan Yu ◽  
Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie ◽  
Kenneth D. Bloch ◽  
...  

Background Breathing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been reported to induce a suspended animation-like state with hypothermia and a concomitant metabolic reduction in rodents. However, the impact of H2S breathing on cardiovascular function remains incompletely understood. In this study, the authors investigated the cardiovascular and metabolic effects of inhaled H2S in a murine model. Methods The impact of breathing H2S on cardiovascular function was examined using telemetry and echocardiography in awake mice. The effects of breathing H2S on carbon dioxide production and oxygen consumption were measured at room temperature and in a warmed environment. Results Breathing H2S at 80 parts per million by volume at 27 degrees C ambient temperature for 6 h markedly reduced heart rate, core body temperature, respiratory rate, and physical activity, whereas blood pressure remained unchanged. Echocardiography demonstrated that H2S exposure decreased both heart rate and cardiac output but preserved stroke volume. Breathing H2S for 6 h at 35 degrees C ambient temperature (to prevent hypothermia) decreased heart rate, physical activity, respiratory rate, and cardiac output without altering stroke volume or body temperature. H2S breathing seems to induce bradycardia by depressing sinus node activity. Breathing H2S for 30 min decreased whole body oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production at either 27 degrees or 35 degrees C ambient temperature. Both parameters returned to baseline levels within 10 min after the cessation of H2S breathing. Conclusions Inhalation of H2S at either 27 degrees or 35 degrees C reversibly depresses cardiovascular function without changing blood pressure in mice. Breathing H2S also induces a rapidly reversible reduction of metabolic rate at either body temperature.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 6090
Author(s):  
Steven Jackson ◽  
Eivind Brodal

Hydrogen used as an energy carrier can provide an important route to the decarbonization of energy supplies, but realizing this opportunity will require both significantly increased production and transportation capacity. One route to increased transportation capacity is the shipping of liquid hydrogen, but this requires an energy-intensive liquefaction step. Recent study work has shown that the energy required in this process can be reduced through the implementation of new and improved process designs, but since all low-temperature processes are affected by the available heat-sink temperature, local ambient conditions will also have an impact. The objective of this work is to identify how the energy consumption associated with hydrogen liquefaction varies with heat-sink temperature through the optimization of design parameters for a next-generation mixed refrigerant based hydrogen liquefaction process. The results show that energy consumption increases by around 20% across the cooling temperature range 5 to 50 °C. Considering just the range 20 to 30 °C, there is a 5% increase, illustrating the significant impact ambient temperature can have on energy consumption. The implications of this work are that the modelling of different liquified hydrogen based energy supply chains should take the impact of ambient temperature into account.


Author(s):  
Luca Larosa ◽  
Alberto Traverso ◽  
Valentina Zaccaria

In this paper advanced control strategies based on Model Predictive Control (MPC) method are compared against a traditional PID controller in a Gas Turbine Pressurized SOFC hybrid system. A model of the integrated mGT-SOFC hybrid system has been developed to analyze the impact of ambient temperature changes on system performance and dynamic behaviour. Four different MIMO controllers (multi input multi output) based on a linearized system model have been implemented in order to control fuel cell temperature and power with different ambient temperatures. Fuel cell temperature is regulated by manipulating the cell by-pass mass flow, while power is regulated by changing the fuel cell electrical current and fuel mass flow (the fuel utilization factor is kept constant). Load following simulations have been carried out as follows: the same load ramp from 100% to 80% of fuel cell power and back has been set and studied under three different ambient conditions, 263K, 288K and 313K (−10°C, 15°C and 40°C). MPC demonstrated superior performance over the two distributed PID controls, thanks to the better setpoint tracking on the cell temperature, which is particularly evident when the ambient temperature deviates from the nominal condition. This is mainly explained by the capability of MPC in including the effects of non-linearities of the real system.


Author(s):  
Philipp Groene ◽  
Ufuk Gündogar ◽  
Klaus Hofmann-Kiefer ◽  
Roland Ladurner

Abstract Background Body core temperature is an important vital parameter during surgery and anaesthesia. It is influenced by several patient-related and surgery-related factors. Laparoscopy is considered beneficial in terms of a variety of parameters, for example, postoperative pain and length of hospital stay. Non-humidified, non-warmed insufflated CO2 applied during laparoscopy is standard of care. This prospective observational trial therefore evaluates the impact of non-humidified CO2 at room temperature on abdominal temperature and its correlation to body core temperature. Methods Seventy patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery were included in this prospective observational study. Temperature was measured oesophageal and abdominal before induction of anaesthesia (T1), right before skin incision (T2), 15 min, 30 min and 60 min after skin incision. All patients were treated according to actual guidelines for perioperative temperature measurement. Results Body core temperature and abdominal temperature correlated moderately (r = 0.6123; p < 0.0001). Bland–Altman plot for comparison of methods showed an average difference of 0.4 °C (bias − 0.3955; 95% agreement of bias from − 2.365 to 1.574). Abdominal temperature further decreased after establishing pneumoperitoneum (T2: 36.2 °C (35.9/36.4) to T5: 36.1 °C (35.6/36.4); p < 0.0001), whereas oesophageal temperature increased (T2: 36.2 °C (35.9/36.4) to 36.4 °C (36.0/36.7); p = 0.0296). Values of oesophageal and abdominal measurement points differed at T4 (36.3 °C (36.0/36.6) vs. 36.1 °C (35.4/36.6); p < 0.0001) and T5 (36.4 °C (36.0/36.7) vs. 36.1 °C (35.6/36.4) p = 0.0003). Conclusion This prospective observational trial shows the influence of insufflated, non-humidified carbon dioxide at room temperature on abdominal temperature during laparoscopic surgery. We show that carbon dioxide applied at these conditions decreases abdominal temperature and therefore might be a risk factor for perioperative hypothermia.


2001 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte A. Richmond

Patients with fever have a predisposition to experience dehydration, which may alter their thermoregulatory responses to elevated body temperature. In view of the recent discovery of the antipyretic activity of arginine vasopressin (AVP), it is possible that dehydration has a beneficial role during fever. Dehydration may enhance endogenous antipyresis by stimulating AVP release, making aggressive fluid replacement, which may inhibit AVP release, undesirable during fever. This study addressed the effects of manipulation of hydration status on temperature and cardiovascular responses in endotoxin-injected rabbits. Eight unanesthetized chronically instrumented rabbits were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) while in euhydrated state, after furosemide (5 mg/kg) and 24 hours of water deprivation (dehydrated), after infusion of saline (30 mL/kg) while in euhydrated state (hyperhydrated), and after saline (mL/per overnight body weight loss in grams) while in dehydrated state (rehydrated). Dehydrated rabbits display higher fevers that are biphasic in nature and are accompanied by increased vasoconstriction and duration of mean arterial pressure increases, indicating that activation of antipyretic mechanisms in dehydrated rabbits was not sufficient to reduce body core temperature. In addition, fluid supplementation in euhydrated rabbits did not alter the febrile response; however, a marked decrease in heart rate was noted. Furthermore, fluid supplementation in dehydrated rabbits significantly attenuates the rectal temperature and heart rate response to LPS injection, indicating the possibility that activation of antipyretic mechanisms of AVP in rehydrated rabbits was sufficient to reduce body core temperature. The results suggest that fluid supplementation has a beneficial role in keeping body temperature lower.


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