Effect of physical training in cool and hot environments on +Gz acceleration tolerance in women

Rectal temperature (Tre), sweat rate, plasma volume (PV), peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2), and relaxed +Gz acceleration tolerance (0.5 G X min-1 linear to grayout) were measured in 15 healthy women 21-41 years old before and after submaximal isotonic exercise training for 2 h X d-1 on a cycle ergometer. The women had 2 weeks of acceleration runs and Vo2 testing, followed by 8 d of exercise training, post-training acceleration runs on day 9, and peak Vo2 tests on day 10. They were divided into three groups: an exercise (heat) group, ambient temperature (Ta) 40.6 degrees C, relative humidity (rh) 42%, and a peak Vo2 of 52%; an exercise (cool) group, Ta = 18.7 degrees, rh = 48%, and Vo2 peak = 55%; and a sedentary control (cool) group. There was no change in peak ventilation, peak heart rate (HR), peak Vo2, or in resting PV in any group after training. Heart rate and Tre were significantly lower after training in both cool and hot environments; HR by 17 b X min-1 (p less than 0.05) and 27 b X min-1 (p less than 0.05), respectively, and Tre by 0.4 degrees C (p less than 0.05) and 0.4 degrees C (p less than 0.05), respectively. Sweat rates were not different in any group. In all groups, acceleration tolerances were not different after training; they ranged from 3.5 to 3.8 G (373 - 410 s). The loss (shift) in PV during acceleration ranged from -5.8% to -10.3% (nonsignificant).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)