High‐intensity interval exercise reduces tolerance to a simulated haemorrhagic challenge in heat‐stressed individuals

Abstract

Individuals who are exposed to an increased risk of experiencing a hemorrhagic insult, such as soldiers and firefighters, are often required to complete intermittent high intensity exercise in the presence of environmental heat stress. In normothermic conditions, increases in heart rate and reductions in vascular resistance can be greater following high intensity interval exercise relative to continuous steady state exercise. These hemodynamic alterations following high intensity interval exercise may reduce the capacity to withstand a hemorrhagic insult. We investigated whether high intensity interval exercise reduces tolerance to a simulated hemorrhagic challenge (lower body negative pressure; LBNP) relative to steady state exercise in heat stressed individuals. Eight healthy participants (Age: 27 ± 5 years; Ht: 179 ± 9 cm; Wt: 78.9 ± 18.7 kg) completed two trials (Steady state and Interval). Participants performed cycling exercise either by alternating between 10 and 88% (Interval) or continuously at 38% (Steady state) of the predetermined maximal aerobic power output whilst wearing a warm water perfused suit until core temperatures increased by 1.40 ± 0.21°C. Participants then underwent progressive LBNP (−20mmHg, −30mmHg, etc.) to pre syncope. LBNP tolerance was quantified as cumulative stress index (CSI; mmHg*min). Following exercise and prior to LBNP, mean skin temperatures were similarly elevated from baseline in both trials (from: 32.35 ± 0.42 to 37.95 ± 0.59°C, P < 0.05). Mean arterial pressure was not different between trials prior to LBNP (Interval: 79 ± 6 vs. Steady state: 77 ± 7 mmHg; P = 0.57) and were similarly reduced in both trials at pre syncope (to 63 ± 6 and 62 ± 6 mmHg respectively, both P < 0.05). CSI was lower in the interval trial relative to the steady state trial (280 ± 204 vs. 518 ± 285 mmHg*min, respectively; P = 0.024). In heat stressed individuals, tolerance to a simulated hemorrhagic challenge was reduced following high intensity interval exercise relative to steady state exercise. These findings have implications for individuals who exercise at intermittent high intensities in hot environments and are at increased risk of experiencing a hemorrhagic injury (e.g. soldiers, firefighters and miners). This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Experimental Physiology special issue: Extreme environmental physiology

“…Trotter and colleagues report that high-intensity interval exercise reduces tolerance to a simulated haemorrhagic challenge in heatstressed individuals (Trotter et al, 2021). There is a systematic review of individual risk factors associated with exertional heat illness (Westwood et al, 2021).…”

“…From the perspective of occupational physiology, Watkins and colleagues report that extreme occupational heat exposure is associated with elevated haematological and inflammatory markers in Fire Service instructors (Watkins, Hayes, Watt, Renshaw, & Richardson, 2021). From the pathophysiological/clinical perspective, Trotter and colleagues report that high‐intensity interval exercise reduces tolerance to a simulated haemorrhagic challenge in heat‐stressed individuals (Trotter et al., 2021). There is a systematic review of individual risk factors associated with exertional heat illness (Westwood et al., 2021).…”