Professional paper

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN HEAT AND ITS RELATION TO HEAT ILLNESS

Dalen Legocić ; Klinika za ortopediju Lovran, Sveučilište u Rijeci
Gordan Gulan ; Klinika za ortopediju Lovran, Sveučilište u Rijeci
Anton Tudor ; Klinika za ortopediju Lovran, Sveučilište u Rijeci
Velimir Šantić ; Klinika za ortopediju Lovran, Sveučilište u Rijeci
Hari Jurdana ; Klinika za ortopediju Lovran, Sveučilište u Rijeci
Tomislav Prpić ; Klinika za ortopediju Lovran, Sveučilište u Rijeci

Abstract

A high number of competitions, as well as many
training hours spent in an environment characterized by
hot temperatures, require athletes performing various
sports to have adapted extensively to heat. Metabolic
energy produced during physical activity is used against
entropy, while excess energy is released from the body as
heat. Body temperature is controlled by thermoregulatory
mechanisms. The human body can remain at an optimal
level of performance as long as the core temperature is
maintained within limits of ±0.5°C. The athlete's body is
exposed to additional metabolic heat because of physical
activity, and also to additional heat coming from external
sources. This paper deals with the following topics: (1) the
specific heat adaptation process undergone by athletes
practicing their sport in hot environments, and (2)
prevention and treatment of heat illness and heat stroke,
which could not only compromise performance, but may
also endanger the athletes' health and, in some instances,
be life threatening.

Keywords

thermoregulation; exercise; heat; heat stroke

Hrčak ID:

31119

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/31119

Publication date:

29.12.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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