Thermoregulatory burden of elite sailing athletes during exercise in the heat: A pilot study

ABSTRACT

Exercising in a hot and humid environment increases core body temperature, which may limit exercise performance. The risk of exercise-induced hyperthermia and associated performance decrement in Olympic sailing athletes is largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to compare thermoregulatory responses and performance indicators of elite sailors in a cool versus hot and humid environment. Seven elite athletes from four different Olympic sailing classes (Laser, RS:X, Finn, 470) performed cycling and/or rowing exercise in a cool (18°C) and hot (33°C) environment, while core body temperature (T_C), skin temperature (T_SK), exercise performance (covered distance), and rating of perceived exertion were measured continuously. T_C increased significantly more in the hot environment (37.6 ± 0.2°C to 39.1 ± 0.1°C) compared to the cool environment (37.5 ± 0.1°C to 38.5 ± 0.2°C; p = 0.002), but the increase in T_C between conditions differed substantially within individuals (range: 0.3°C – 0.9°C). Exercise performance decreased by 6.2 ± 2.9% in the hot environment (p = 0.013, range: 2.3%–9.5%), but more importantly, exercise performance was strongly inversely related to peak T_C (R = −0.78, p = 0.039). Rating of perceived exertion (cool: 14.2 ± 0.6; hot: 13.9 ± 1.2) and increase in T_SK (cool: 0.5 ± 1.0°C; hot: 0.9 ± 0.3°C) did not differ between conditions (p = 0.59 and p = 0.36, respectively). To conclude, a larger increase in T_C and substantial exercise performance decrement were observed in the hot versus cool environment. As a further matter, large inter-individual differences were observed across athletes with an inverse relationship between T_C and exercise performance, which stresses the importance of appropriate and personalized interventions to reduce thermoregulatory burden of elite sailors during exercise in the heat.

Introduction

Exercise increases the thermoregulatory burden, which is associated with an increased metabolic heat production and activation of heat loss mechanisms [1]. The thermal load for sailing athletes depends on wind currents, solar radiation, humidity, and ambient/water temperatures during the race [2]. Furthermore, sailors wear a wetsuit and/or lycra shirt to protect them from cold exposure due to the water and wind(chill), but also provides sun protection. Since sailing tournaments are often held in hot and humid environments, the heat dissipation could be limited and the wetsuit further attenuates heat dissipating mechanisms. This might result in uncompensable heat stress [3–6], which is likely to negatively impact exercise performance of sailing athletes [7,8].

Little is known about the thermoregulatory burden of sailing. Neville et al. showed that well acclimatized elite sailors participating in the 2007 America’s Cup (32°C, 52% relative humidity (RH) and 5 m/s wind speed) experienced great thermal strain during sailing, evidenced by substantial elevations in heart rate (HR), T_C, and sweat production [9]. Moreover, the HR and T_C were higher during downwind sailing compared to upwind sailing. In parallel, a higher HR was found for downwind compared to upwind sailing during competitive Olympic Boardsailing (RS:X) [10–13]. In contrast, downwind sailing is less physically demanding (72 ± 13% of maximal heart rate (HR_MAX)) for Laser class sailors compared to upwind sailing (78 ± 12% of HR_MAX) [14]. These observations emphasized that more insight in thermoregulatory responses of sailing athletes is needed to make class- and race-specific recommendations.

The aim of this pilot study was to compare the thermoregulatory responses of elite sailing athletes in a cool (18°C) versus hot and humid environment (33°C). We hypothesized a greater thermal strain and performance decrement in a hot environment compared to a cool environment with similar thermoregulatory responses across athletes.

Methods

Subjects

A total of seven elite sailing athletes (3 males and 4 females, 21–28 years, height: 174 ± 11 cm, weight: 72.5 ± 11.9 kg, BMI: 23.9 ± 2.0 kg/m², HR_MAX: 193 ± 6 bpm) from four different Olympic sailing classes (Laser, 470, Finn, RS:X) volunteered to participate in this study. We included one male and one female Laser sailor, two female 470 sailors, one male Finn sailor, one male and one female RS:X sailor. Menstrual phase and the use of contraceptive pills from our female athletes were not reported. All athletes gave written informed consent prior participation, whereas all study procedures were performed in line with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Study design

A cross-over study was performed in which each athlete exercised in both a cool and hot environment, in counterbalanced order. The cool environment replicates a mild to moderate weather condition, with an ambient temperature (T_AMBIENT) of 18°C and a relative humidity (RH) of 55%. In the hot environment, we simulated the expected conditions of Tokyo during the Olympic Games (T_AMBIENT = 33°C and RH = 77%), using a climate chamber (b-Cat High Altitude, Tiel, The Netherlands). Furthermore, an electric fan (Koenic KFF 400-M, Imtron GmbH, Ingolstadt, Germany) was placed at a distance of 1.5 m from the athletes to replicate an air velocity of 2.1m/s.

Both exercise tests were separated by at least 3 days, and were scheduled at the same time of the day, to avoid interaction with the circadian rhythm [15]. The athletes were instructed to drink at least 500 ml of water 2 to 3 hours prior to the test to ensure proper hydration as progressive dehydration is indicated in Junior Laser Class Sailing during World Championship [16,17]. Furthermore, intake of fluid and nutrition was not allowed from 1 hour prior to the test until the end of the protocol.

Experimental protocol

Each athlete ingested a gastrointestinal temperature capsule 3 hours prior to the test. After obtaining baseline measurements, athletes performed a standardized warming-up of 10 minutes followed by 5 minutes of rest. The standardized warming up consisted of 1 km rowing (Finn and RS:X) or 5 minutes cycling (Laser and 470) progressing towards 70 to 80% of heart rate reserve (HRR) combined with 5 minutes of ground and standing mobility exercises. Subsequently, athletes performed a class-specific test on a bicycle (Wattbike Pro, Wattbike, Nottingham, United Kingdom) and/or rowing (Indoor Rower Model D, Concept 2, Vermont, USA) ergometer. Sailing races differ largely in their course, activity (full-body/legs), duration (25–66 min.) and intensity (60–100% of HR_max) across different sailing classes. Therefore, we designed class-specific tests to quantify the thermoregulatory burden more specifically. The class-specific protocols are shown in Supplementary Table 1. The class-specific tests represented the activity, duration and intensity of each leg (upwind, reach, and downwind) of a regular sailing race. Athletes were not blinded for their cadence, resistance and HR during the test, in order to allow the athletes to adapt their cadence and resistance for each leg to maintain the proposed exercise intensity. In addition, the cadence on the cycle ergometer and drag factor on the rowing machine were standardized. After completing the class-specific protocol, the physiological measurements were continued for 10 minutes during the recovery phase.

Measurements

Performance (covered distance)

The covered distance (m) was registered every 4–6 minutes during the class-specific test.

Core body temperature (T_C)

The athlete’s T_C was measured continuously throughout the protocol at 10-s intervals using a validated gastrointestinal capsule (myTemp, Nijmegen, Netherlands) [18,19], that sends the data wirelessly to a copper-wired waistband [19].

Skin temperature (T_SK)

T_SK of the athletes was measured at 20-s intervals throughout the protocol using validated wireless temperature recorders (iButton DS1922L, Dallas Semiconductor Corp, USA) [20]. T_SK was measured in agreement with the International Standard Ergonomics (Standard I.S.O. 9886, 2004) using a 4-points measuring site consisting of left hand, right shin, right scapula, and neck [21]. The weighted average T_SK is measured according to the formula: $\overline{T_{SK}}=0.16\cdot T_{Hand}+0.28\cdot T_{Shin}+0.28\cdot T_{Scapula}+0.28\cdot T_{Neck}$

Heart Rate (HR). Polar RS:800 CX (Polar Electro Oy, Kempele, Finland) was used to monitor HR continuously throughout the protocol at 15-s intervals. HR had to be fixed according to the class-specific protocols (Supplementary Table 1). Furthermore, HR was standardized by using the percentage of HRR calculated with the Karvonen Formula [22]. Resting and maximal HR, used for the calculation of HRR were based on a routinely performed incremental exercise test within 6 months prior study participation.

Body weight

Body weight was measured (Satex SA250,Weegtechniek Holland b.v., Zeewolde, the Netherlands) on baseline and after the class-specific test. The relative change in body weight was used to determine the level of dehydration and weight loss after the class-specific test. The athletes’ body weight included the weight of the iButtons and waist- and chest band for T_C and HR, but without shirt and shoes.

Perceived exertion, thermal comfort and thermal sensation

The rating of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal comfort and thermal sensation were registered simultaneously every 4 to 6 minutes throughout the protocol. The RPE quantitatively measures the perceived exertion using the Borg categorical scale ranging from 6 to 20, in which 6 indicated “no exertion” and 20 indicates ”maximal exertion” [23]. The 4-point Comfort Scale (1 very uncomfortable; 4 very comfortable) indicates how comfortable the athlete feels about the temperature [24], while the 7-point ASHRAE scale for thermal sensation ranges from −3 (cold) to +3 (hot) and indicates to what extent the athlete experienced the ambient temperature [24].

Data analysis

All statistical analyses were performed by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (ISPSS v22.0, IBM Corp., Armonk, USA), with the level of significance defined as p ≤ 0.05. Data was reported as mean ± standard deviation, unless indicated otherwise. Normality distribution was examined using a Shapiro-Wilk Test, if necessary with log transformation. To compare conditions, parameters were analysed with a Paired-Sample T-Test. The interpretation of the effect size (ES, Cohen’s d) was based on the following scale: negligible effect = 0–0.19, small effect = 0.20–0.49, moderate effect = 0.50–0.79 and large effect≥ 0.80). Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test was applied to indicate differences in thermal sensation as normal distribution could not be obtained Repeated measures ANOVA is used to evaluate the change over time in T_C between conditions. Finally, Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to assess the association between performance and T_C responses in the heat.

Results

Environmental characteristics

All seven athletes successfully completed the class-specific tests in a cool (18.4 ± 2.1°C and 55.6 ± 4.1% RH) and hot environment (32.8 ± 0.9°C and 79.6 ± 1.7% RH).

Heart rate and perceived exertion

The average HR was 162 ± 3 bpm in the cool environment and 164 ± 4 bpm in the hot environment, and did not differ between conditions (p = 0.055, ES = 0.90, Table 1). Furthermore, no difference in RPE was observed between conditions (cool: 14.2 ± 0.6, hot: 13.9 ± 1.2, p = 0.59, ES = 0.21).

Table 1.

Heart rate, exercise performance, core body temperature, skin temperature, heat gradient, subjective parameters and body weight in both environmental conditions (mean ± SD; median (25–75 percentiles)).

Outcome parameters	Cool	Hot	P-value	Effect Size [95% CI]
Heart Rate (bpm)
Heart rate	162 ± 3	164 ± 4	0.055	0.90 [–0.20, 2.00]
Performance (km)
Covered distance	24.9 ± 14.2	23.1 ± 12.9	0.013	1.32 [0.16, 2.48]
Core Body Temperature (°C)*
Change during warming up	0.5 ± 0.3	0.4 ± 0.1	0.61	0.22 [–0.91, 1.36]
Peak class-specific test	38.5 ± 0.1	39.2 ± 0.2	0.001	3.13 [1.44, 4.82]
Change during class-specific test	1.0 ± 0.2	1.6 ± 0.3	0.002	2.50 [0.99, 4.01]
Change during recovery	−0.6 ± 0.2	−0.2 ± 0.3	0.014	1.52 [0.24, 2.81]
Skin Temperature (°C)*
Change during warming up	0.5 ± 0.8	0.8 ± 0.6	0.69	0.17 [–0.96, 1.31]
Peak class-specific test	31.2 ± 1.2	36.7 ± 0.3	<0.001	6.28 [3.53, 9.04]
Change during class-specific test	0.5 ± 1.0	0.9 ± 0.3	0.36	0.41 [–0.73, 1.55]
Change during recovery	0.7 ± 1.2	−0.4 ± 0.3	0.11	0.78 [–0.39, 1.95]
Heat Gradient (°C)*
Change during warming up	−0.2 ± 0.7	−0.3 ± 0.5	0.85	0.09 [–1.15, 1.33]
Change during class-specific test	0.5 ± 1.0	0.5 ± 0.3	0.89	0.07 [–1.17, 1.31]
Change during recovery	−1.1 ± 1.4	0.2 ± 0.5	0.13	0.86 [–0.43, 2.16]
Subjective Parameters (au)
Rate of perceived exertion	14.2 ± 0.6	13.9 ± 1.2	0.59	0.21 [–0.84, 1.26]
Thermal comfort	2.7 ± 0.3	1.8 ± 0.4	0.001	2.26 [0.92, 3.61]
Thermal sensation	1.7 (0.2–1.8)	2.7 (2.7–2.9)	0.018**	–
Body Weight (%)
∆ Body weight	−0.7 ± 0.4	−1.1 ± 0.2	<0.001	2.85 [1.36, 4.34]

bpm = beats per minute, AU: arbitrary units. P-values refer to Paired-Sample T-Tests, while effect sizes (ES) are indicate by Cohen’s d (negligible effect = 0–0.19, small effect = 0.20–0.49, moderate effect = 0.50–0.79, large effect ≥0.80).

*T_C of 470 Helm – Women and T_SK of Finn – Men are not included due to complications while measuring. Thereby, heat gradient of both athletes are also not included.

**P-value refers to a Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, while effect size is not indicated.

Exercise performance

The total covered distance was significantly lower in the hot environment (23.1 ± 12.9 km) compared to the cool environment (24.9 ± 14.2 km, p = 0.013, ES = 1.32, Table 1). More specifically, exercise performance reduced with 6.2 ± 2.9% in the hot compared to the cool environment, ranging from 2.3% (RS:X – Men) to 9.5% (Laser – Women).

Core body temperature

Baseline T_C was comparable between the cool (37.0 ± 0.3⁰C) and hot environment (37.1 ± 0.2°C, p = 0.34, ES = 0.43, Figure 1). During the class-specific test, a larger increase in T_C was observed in the hot versus cool environment (1.6 ± 0.3°C versus 1.0 ± 0.2°C, p = 0.002, ES = 2.50, Table 1). The increase in T_C in hot compared to cool environment differed substantially between individuals, ranging from 0.3°C for Laser (Women) to 0.9°C for Laser (Men). Furthermore, maximal T_C during the class-specific test was higher in the hot (39.2 ± 0.2°C) compared to the cool environment (38.5 ± 0.1°C, p = 0.001, ES = 3.13), and differed between conditions from 0.0°C to + 1.0°C within individuals. An overview of T_C during the class-specific test is shown in Figure 2 for all athletes in the hot and cool condition. Changes in T_C were significantly different over time between the hot and cool condition (p = 0.019).

Figure 1.

Core body temperature (a), skin temperature (b), and heat gradient (c) in cool (white bars) and hot environment (grey bars) at specific measurement points: baseline, start of class-specific test, finish of class-specific test and after 10 minutes of recovery. Error bars represented standard deviations, significance assumed at p < 0.05.

Figure 2.

Core body temperature during the class-specific test in the cool environment (a) and hot environment (b) for all seven athletes. The black bolded line represents the average T_C over time. Each coloured line represents an athlete, as follows: Laser – Women, Laser – Men, 470 Crew – Women, 470 Helm – Women, Finn – Men, RS:X – Women, RS:X – Men.

Exercise performance versus core body temperature

A correlation of −0.76 was found between exercise performance decrement and increase in T_C in the heat (p = 0.047), and a correlation of −0.78 between exercise performance decrement and maximal T_C in the heat (p = 0.039, Figure 3).

Figure 3.

Correlations between decrement in performance (%), and increase in core body temperature (a) and maximal T_C (b) in the hot environment. Pearson correlation coefficient with significance level at p < 0.05. Each bullet represents an athlete, as follows: 1) Laser – Women, 2) Laser – Men, 3) 470 Crew – Women, 4) 470 Helm – Women, 5) Finn – Men, 6) RS:X – Women, 7) RS:X – Men.

Skin temperature

Baseline T_SK was lower in the cool environment compared to the hot environment (28.7 ± 1.1°C versus 34.9 ± 0.4°C, p < 0.001, ES = 4.94, Figure 1). During the class-specific test, T_SK increased 0.9 ± 0.3°C in the hot environment and 0.5 ± 1.0°C in the cool environment, which was not different (p = 0.36, ES = 0.41, Table 1). Nevertheless, maximal T_SK was significantly higher in the hot versus cool environment (36.7 ± 0.3°C versus 31.2 ± 1.2°C, p < 0.001, ES = 6.28), with a 4.3°C to 6.6°C higher maximal T_SK in the heat.

Heat gradient (T_C – T_SK)

Baseline T_C to T_SK gradient was 8.2 ± 1.4°C in the cool environment and 2.3 ± 0.2°C in the hot environment (p = 0.001, ES = 3.96, Figure 1), which did not change during the class-specific test (p = 0.89, ES = 0.07, Table 1).

Other outcome parameters

The relative loss of body mass during the class-specific test was lower in the cool environment (0.7 ± 0.4%) compared to the hot environment (1.1 ± 0.2%, p < 0.001, ES = 2.85, Table 1). Furthermore, the class-specific tests were indicated as “comfortable” (2.7 ± 0.3) and “warm” (1.7; 0.2–1.8) in the cool environment, and “uncomfortable” (1.8 ± 0.4) and “hot” (2.7; 2.7–2.9) in the hot environment (p = 0.001 & ES = 2.26, p = 0.018, respectively).

Discussion

The aim of our study was to compare the thermoregulatory responses of elite sailing athletes during class-specific tests in both a cool and hot environment to indicate their thermoregulatory burden. Our hypothesis that thermal strain and performance decrement would be higher in a hot environment compared to a cool environment, is confirmed. More importantly, exercise performance was reduced with 6.2% in the hot versus cool environment, which was inversely related to the increase and maximal T_C in the hot environment. Furthermore, body weight loss, thermal discomfort and thermal stress were elevated in a hot versus cool environment.

To our knowledge, this is the first study that determined thermoregulatory responses in athletes of Olympic sailing classes in both a cool and hot environment. Neville and colleagues found a maximal T_C of 38.4°C in well acclimatized sailing athletes participating in the America’s Cup yacht racing (T_AMBIENT: 32°C, 52% RH and 5 m/s wind speed [9],). In comparison, a higher peak T_C of 39.2°C is found in our laboratory study with athletes of Olympic sailing classes. Former studies not only found a greater and faster increase in T_C when exercising in a hotter environment [9], but also observed that the athletes’ performances are reduced when T_C rises above 39°C [9,25]. Nonetheless, an important finding of our study is that higher and greater T_C responses are found with a decline in the performance of elite sailing athletes when exercising in the heat.

Interestingly, we see different effects of the heat on T_C and performance when comparing individual responses indicating the importance of personalized interventions to reduce thermoregulatory burden in elite sailors during exercise in the heat (Figure 2). For instance, athletes from RS:X class (high intensity exercise) show a large increase in T_C, while they were well able to maintain performance compared to the other sailing classes. In contrast, most sailing athletes performing endurance exercise (i.e. Laser and 470 classes) show a limited increase in T_C, but a high performance decrement in the heat. Both Casadio and Corbett demonstrated the presence of inter-individual variation in the adaptive response to heat acclimation [26,27]. Furthermore, the thermophysiological responses to exercise in the heat was not related with baseline maximal VO₂ or previous exposure to a heat acclimation intervention [27]. As differences in general fitness and heat acclimation might not play a role, our findings could suggest that intrinsic factors (i.e. heat tolerance, sweat threshold, sweating efficiency) determine whether an athlete preserves thermoregulation or performance when exercising in a hot environment. Another explanation for this inverse relation can be that high intensity exercise and endurance exercise might result in a different response of the body while exercising in a hot environment. Overall, preserved performance is as importance as preserved thermoregulation for elite athletes as they are at risk of developing exertional hyperthermia when thermoregulation is not maintained which eventually results in heat related illnesses and limited performances. A reasonable risk on heat-related illnesses has been indicated in our study as most athletes felt lightheaded and/or dizzy after the class-specific test in the heat. This is important as we also found a slower decrease (or even an increase) in heart rate and T_C during recovery in the hot versus cool environment. The lack of ability to recover after exercise is of importance for all sailing athletes, as most tournaments for Olympic sailing classes consists of multiple races on each day with less than 30 minutes of rest in between.

It is important to note that athletes not only deal with different activities on different intensities during upwind and downwind sailing, but also with different environmental conditions indicated by the direction of the waves and apparent wind speed (AWS; i.e. the wind speed on the boat) [28]. As reported previously, sailing upwind into the waves comes with greater AWS than sailing downwind with the waves and produces a continuous spray of water on the body in some conditions [9]. As a result, evaporative and convective cooling is promoted during upwind sailing resulting in feeling colder and being wet [9]. Therefore, the experienced thermal comfort and thermal sensation of our study may not be indicative for actual upwind sailing. As no cooling is promoted by sailing downwind, it is likely that these legs will still be experienced as “hot and uncomfortable”. Furthermore, it is important to stay cool as cooling strategies aim to attenuate the increase in T_C in order to enhance exercise performance and lower the risk of heat-related illnesses [9]. We recently reported an overview of cooling strategies for athletes, indicating cold continuous sprays of water and wind on the body as effective cooling strategy during exercise [29]. From a mental point of view, cooling might also preserve the performances as less thermal stress and thermal discomfort tends to improve the athletes’ performances [30]. Therefore, the magnitude of different cooling strategies on the performance and thermoregulation of athletes from Olympic sailing classes should be investigated. While the increased opportunity for cooling during upwind sailing may help to dissipate the greater metabolic heat production, a greater AWS is also likely to affect the work intensity when sailing and thereby resulting in a greater thermoregulatory burden [9]. To counteract these detrimental effects, Casadio and colleagues indicated that periodized heat acclimation did reduce heat strain in elite Laser sailors preparing for the 2013 World Championships [26].

Strengths and limitations

A cross-over study is a strong methodological approach to analyse the thermoregulatory responses of Olympic sailing to heat in which the cool environment can be seen as the control condition for the hot environment. Furthermore, the tests mimic the class-specific performances of on-water races with a certainty, resulting in a reliable athlete-specific indication of their thermoregulatory burden. However, there are some limitations that should be taken into account. A limitation of our study is that it can be seen as a laboratory setting where sailing is replaced by biking and/or rowing, which is an incomplete reflection of the actual thermoregulatory burden. Although environmental stressors such as solar radiation and changing air velocities are lacking and intensities are fixed [31,32], a former study showed that identical associations between a hotter environment and a greater thermal strain can be found in competitive environments [25]. Furthermore, female athletes’ menstrual phase can affect thermophysiological responses [33]. Nevertheless, resting T_C was comparable between both measurements in female study population (37.0 ± 0.5°C versus 37.3 ± 0.3°C), suggesting they were in the same phase of the menstrual cycle. Overall, within our study the primary outcome parameters are not likely to be sensitive for bias as all athletes perform the class-specific test in both conditions and clear results were obtained despite the relatively small sample size.

Conclusion

Elite sailing athletes demonstrate higher peak core body temperatures in a hot compared to cool environment resulting in a performance loss of 6.2% and thermal discomfort. More importantly, substantial variation in physiological responses were observed between athletes, suggesting that personalized interventions should be implemented to counteract the detrimental effects of exercise in the heat. As elite sailing athletes have to perform multiple races on a day during international tournaments, they may also be at risk of developing exertional hyperthermia (T_C ≥ 40) in the heat. Future studies should focus on: I) on-water measurements in competitive settings in the heat to determine actual thermoregulatory burden of sailing, and II) the benefits of personalized interventions such as cooling, acclimatisation and wearing protective clothes to lower thermal strain and improve the exercise performances while sailing in the heat.

Funding Statement

The work of T.M.H.E was supported by a European Commission Horizon 2020 grant (Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship 655502).

Abbreviations

T_C

core body temperature (gastrointestinal)

T_SK

skin temperature

T_AMBIENT

ambient temperature

HR

heart rate

HR_MAX

maximal heart rate

HRR

heart rate reserve

RPE

rate of perceived exertion

RH

relative humidity

ES

effect size (Cohen’s d)

Acknowledgments

The authors want to thank the athletes for their participation and national coach Jaap Zielhuis for his endorsement. Furthermore, we want to thank Cees van Bladel and Lenneke de Voogd for the availability of the facilities at Sailing Innovation Centre and Giorgos Charalampopoulos for his involvement in developing the class-specific protocols. This study was supported by a Sportinnovator grant (ZonMW, 2015).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.