Evaluation of WBGT guidelines to assess thermal strain during endurance running of Japanese high school students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12922/jshp.v12i1.195Keywords:
heat stress, endurance running, Japanese physical education, thermal modeling, student survey, WBGTAbstract
Background: Endurance running (ER) is a common physical test used in physical education (PE) classes in Japan. To perform ER tests safely, the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index is monitored. Yet, incidences of heat-related illness are still reported every year. In this study, the thermal strain levels of the Japanese high school students during ER tests were evaluated in both environmental and physiological aspects．Methods: A total of 61 male students (Height: 169.7±4.8 cm, Weight: 60.9±10.7 kg) wearing T-shirts and shorts participated in an outdoor ER test during their PE classes (WBGT: 23.1±2.9). Volunteers ran a self-paced 1500 m on a track. On test days, a questionnaire (e.g., hydration and exercise habits etc.) was administered prior to the running event. Real-time heart rate (HR) of the students and environmental condition data were recorded. The collected data were then used to estimate core temperatures and physiological strain levels (PSL) using a two-node thermal model. Results: Although the WBGT was classified as safe to exercise, many students’ HR increased to 200 bpm, and their PSL ranged from moderate to high, suggesting a significant risk for heat-related illness. The ER time was significantly associated with exercise habits of the students and WBGT. Conclusions: Current operations for ER tests in Japan need to be revisited to prevent heat illness and injury. Using both WBGT and thermal modeling improves understanding of the thermal status of runners and helps to mitigate the risk for heat illnesses.
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