Projects / Programmes
X-ADAPT: Cross-adaptation between heat and hypoxia - novel strategy for performance and work-ability enhancement in various environments
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.10.00 |
Social sciences |
Sport |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B470 |
Biomedical sciences |
Physiology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.03 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Health sciences |
Heat, Hypoxia, Aerobic capacity, Thermoregulation, Cross-adaptation
Researchers (8)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0106 |
Jožef Stefan Institute |
Ljubljana |
5051606000 |
90,724 |
Abstract
Heat and hypoxia are among the most commonly encountered and investigated environmental stressors known to affect human performance. Recent investigations suggest that the acclimatization to one environmental stressor can also influence physiological responses to another. The phenomenon, whereby adaptation to one environmental stressor may affect the responses when exposed to another environmental stressor, has been termed cross-adaptation. Given the fact that the »cross-adaptation« potential of heat and hypoxia on performance and thermoregulatory responses remains scarcely investigated the aim of the proposed project is to, for the first time, comprehensively assess the cross-over effects between prolonged acclimatization to heat, hypoxia and exercise training. By using a comprehensive and interdisciplinary (basic science, medicine, kinesiology) approach and in combination with the proposed monitoring of numerous biochemical markers we aim to elucidate the main underlying cellular mechanisms of the cross-adaptation phenomenon. The key objectives of the proposed project are therefore, to investigate the potential of the following 10-day acclimatization protocols: 1) Heat acclimatization, 2) Continuous hypoxic acclimatization and 3) Combined heat and hypoxic acclimatization; on thermoregulatory, biochemical and performance indices in humans during rest and exercise in temperate normoxic (23°C, normoxia), hot (35°C, normoxia) and hypoxic (23°C, hypoxia) environment in healthy humans. In addition, the effects of exercise training per se on the above-mentioned performance indices will be investigated in a separate 10-day study. Finally, the project aims to determine the acute and prolonged effects of hypoxia, heat and exercise on Heat shock proteins, Hypoxia inducible factors and oxidative stress modulation and determine the overall cellular adaptation contribution on the “cross-adaptation” potential. Accordingly, the project aims to provide comprehensive insight into the modulation of metabolic and thermoregulatory systems as well as performance adaptation to combined or separate exposure to hypoxia, heat and exercise training. The project will be performed as a series of sequential studies with healthy humans performed in a randomized, controlled and counterbalanced manner. Besides the basic physiological value of the obtained results the present project incorporates an important applied aspect; namely to investigate a potential of cross-adaptation protocols in ether hypoxia or heat for: 1) Alleviating the physiological (over)load upon exposure to the other stressor; 2) Improving exercise performance and 3) Identifying potential for beneficial health-related impact of the cross-adaptation methods. Given the promising outcomes of the earlier studies in this area the expected results will provide and important addition to the current body of knowledge and also, provide developmental venue for future utilization of cross-adaptation strategies in clinical and occupational settings. In particular, the potential of cross-adaptation strategies between heat and hypoxia for clinical purposes (obesity, altitude related illness) and in occupational settings (Alleviating of environmental load upon exposure to hypoxia and heat in workers and professionals).
Significance for science
The project will be the first-to-date to provide comprehensive insight into the modulation of metabolic and thermoregulatory systems as well as performance adaptation to combined or separate exposure to hypoxia, heat and exercise training and thus elucidate and further explore the cross-adaptation phenomenon. The project will be performed as a series of sequential studies with healthy humans performed in a randomized, controlled and counterbalanced manner. Besides the basic physiological value of the obtained results the present project incorporates an important applied aspect; namely to investigate a potential of cross-adaptation protocols in ether hypoxia or heat for: 1) Alleviating the physiological (over)load upon exposure to the other stressor; 2) Improving exercise performance and 3) Identifying potential for beneficial health-related impact of the cross-adaptation methods. Given the promising outcomes of the earlier studies in this area the expected results will provide and important addition to the current body of knowledge and also, provide developmental venue for future utilization of cross-adaptation strategies in clinical and occupational settings. In particular, the potential of cross-adaptation strategies between heat and hypoxia for clinical purposes (obesity, altitude related illness) and in occupational settings (Alleviating of environmental load upon exposure to hypoxia and heat in workers and professionals).
Significance for the country
The project will be the first-to-date to provide comprehensive insight into the modulation of metabolic and thermoregulatory systems as well as performance adaptation to combined or separate exposure to hypoxia, heat and exercise training and thus elucidate and further explore the cross-adaptation phenomenon. The project will be performed as a series of sequential studies with healthy humans performed in a randomized, controlled and counterbalanced manner. Besides the basic physiological value of the obtained results the present project incorporates an important applied aspect; namely to investigate a potential of cross-adaptation protocols in ether hypoxia or heat for: 1) Alleviating the physiological (over)load upon exposure to the other stressor; 2) Improving exercise performance and 3) Identifying potential for beneficial health-related impact of the cross-adaptation methods. Given the promising outcomes of the earlier studies in this area the expected results will provide and important addition to the current body of knowledge and also, provide developmental venue for future utilization of cross-adaptation strategies in clinical and occupational settings. In particular, the potential of cross-adaptation strategies between heat and hypoxia for clinical purposes (obesity, altitude related illness) and in occupational settings (Alleviating of environmental load upon exposure to hypoxia and heat in workers and professionals).
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report
