Effect of physical conditioning on state of heat acclimatization of Bantu laborers

ing on state of heat acclimatization of Bantu laborers. J. Appl. Physiol. 27(Z) : 262-265. 1969.--r Iwo groups of 23 men each were first exposed to the standard heat test (32.2 C wb, 33.9 C db, and wind velocity of 0.4 m/set) usually employed to assess the degree of acclimatization attained by laborers. Thereafter, one group was required to work in a temperature-controlled environment (21 C) at a high workload (1.5-l.6 liters/min) for 4 hr each day for 12 days while the other group did only light to moderate exercise (0.9-1.0 liter/min) in the same environment. Both groups im-proved markedly with regard to their physical condition and gained approximately 2 kg in weight during the training period. On re-exposure to heat, however, there were significant improvements with respect to physiological responses to heat stress only during the first 2 hr. It is concluded that physical training in cool en-vironments is not an adequate substitute for heat acclimatization