Living and training in a tropical environment: a challenge for aerobic exercise applied knowledge and perspectives

West Indian Med J. 2012 Jan;61(1):94-7.

Abstract

The tropical climate is unique in that the seasons are dominated by the movement of the tropical rain belt, resulting in dry and wet seasons rather than the four-seasonal pattern of changes in temperature and day length seen in other parts of the world. Humid tropics are characterized by consistently high monthly temperatures, often exceeding 18 degrees C throughout the year; and rainfall that exceeds evapotranspiration for at least 270 days per year Although considerable information has been gathered on the physiological adaptation to hot/dry climates, data on acclimation to hot/humid climates are still limited. This review focusses on the effects of the tropical environment on human exercise performance through studies performed in the Caribbean, with a special emphasis on prolonged aerobic exercise such as swimming, cycling and running.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acclimatization*
  • Bicycling / physiology*
  • Caribbean Region
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Humidity
  • Running / physiology*
  • Swimming / physiology*