Effects of Exercise on Human Energy Metabolism in High Temperature and High Humidity Environment

Abstract

Introduction Many exercise enthusiasts have started participating in sports in the high-temperature environment in recent years due to the increasing popularity of these sports habits. However, their scientific studies still have a gap in their safety and effectiveness. Objective Measure the energy supply characteristics of fat and sugar oxidation during exercise in different high-temperature and humidity environments. Methods 20 healthy adult subjects were exposed to fixed-intensity exercise for 20 minutes at 30-33 oC, 20% relative humidity (RH), and 50% RH, respectively. Results Under the silent exposure condition, compared with RH 20% and RH 50% under high temperature, sugar oxidation was significantly increased (P<0.01), while fat oxidation was significantly reduced (P<0.01), and total energy consumption was significantly increased (P<0.01). Under the condition of 65% VO2 max exercise, compared with RH 20% and RH 50% at high temperatures, the amount of sugar oxidation was significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the total energy consumption was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Conclusion Under 65% exercise under VO2 max in the high temperature and humidity-controlled environment, the high temperature and medium humidity (RH 50%) environment consumes more energy, and there is a greater amount of sugar oxidation. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigating treatment outcomes.