Responses of Obese and Non-obese Boys Cycling in the Heat

Abstract

This study compared rectal temperature (T_re), heat sensation and sweating between obese and non-obese boys during cycling in the heat. Participants (aged 12–15 years) were 17 obese and 16 non-obese (BMI=29.4±4.3 and 16.8±1.7 kg · m^− 2, respectively) boys. They cycled for 30-min (50–55% VO_2peak) in a climatic chamber (35°C, 45% RH) and T_re, heat sensation and sweat volume were monitored. From the start to the end of cycling, T_re was similar between the obese (37.4±0.3–37.8±0.3°C) and non-obese (37.3±0.2–37.9±0.2°C) groups. Heat sensation was higher in the obese group from the start (3.6±2.7 vs. 1.3±1.4 cm; P=0.008) to the end (7.6±2 vs. 5.2±2.2 cm; P=0.003) of cycling. Sweat volume corrected by body surface area was similar between the obese (200±123 mL · m^− 2) and non-obese (212±80 mL · m^− 2) groups. Initial and final HR were similar in both groups, and RPE was higher in the obese group at 25^th (P=0.040) and 30^th (P=0.019) min. In conclusion, the obese pubescent participants presented similar T_re and sweating volume, but higher heat sensation while cycling in the heat.

Key words

rectal temperature - heat sensation - sweating - exercise - children

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