Exertional heat illness: the role of heat tolerance testing

Curr Sports Med Rep. 2013 Mar-Apr;12(2):101-5. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0b013e3182874d27.

Abstract

Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a common clinical problem for both athletes and warriors; however, evidence-based guidance for return-to-play/duty (RTP/RTD) decisions is limited. Heat tolerance testing (HTT) has been proposed as a potential tool that, when combined with appropriate clinical information, may assist in RTP/RTD decisions. However, currently, no standard of care is available for performing HTT. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) HTT protocol, which was developed over decades of careful research, has proven useful for IDF warriors and is utilized by other militaries to assist in RTD decisions. The present case studies are used to discuss the efficacy of the IDF HTT in determining RTD for two warriors who experienced EHS. Strengths and limitations of the IDF HTT, along with current and potential roles in clinical decision-making and in future thermoregulation research, are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Body Temperature Regulation / physiology
  • Exercise Test / methods
  • Exercise Test / standards*
  • Heat Stroke / diagnosis*
  • Heat Stroke / physiopathology*
  • Heat Stroke / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Israel
  • Male
  • Military Medicine / methods
  • Military Medicine / standards*
  • Military Personnel*
  • Physical Exertion / physiology*
  • United States
  • Young Adult