Research directions in thermoregulation during exercise in extreme environments

Climate change is indisputable, supported by data which shows an increase in global temperature and higher frequency of heat waves (Haines and Ebi, 2019; Ripple et al., 2023; Vautard et al., 2023; Watts et al., 2021). These heat waves are usually associated with higher mortality and morbidity due to cardiorespiratory and other diseases, especially in older people and very young people (Bujosa Mateu et al., 2024; Ebi et al., 2021; Park, 2024). In addition to all the medical problems that occur directly during heat waves, these waves also increase the demand on the electrical grid, increasing the likelihood of blackouts in cities with an electrical grid that is unable to supply this demand, resulting in a doubling of the heat-related mortality rate (Stone et al., 2023). Although less attention is paid to it, climate change also leads to a greater frequency of cold waves, which also have associated medical problems leading to higher mortality and morbidity (Chen et al., 2019). In any case, action for mitigation, preparation, and responding are suggested to deal with such extreme environmental exposures (Ebi et al., 2021; Kiarsi et al., 2023).
The medical risks associated with climate change also become evident during physical exercise, often combining extreme environments, high intensity and long duration. In relation to sport, there are many peculiarities, such as the fact that some competitions are held in very hot environments or in summer (e.g., Olympic Games) (Racinais et al., 2022, 2023; Smith et al., 2016), that some sports are carried out by populations more susceptible to heat stroke (e.g., population with spinal cord injury) (Griggs et al., 2019; Sanchez-Jimenez et al., 2022), or that some sports even require clothing and protection that do not facilitate heat dissipation, further increasing the risk (e.g., American football) (Anderson et al., 2024). All of this further emphasizes the need for adaptation, mitigation, and athlete monitoring strategies.
The aim of this editorial is to highlight the investigations published in the special issue “Thermoregulation, performance and injury prevention” of the Journal of Thermal Biology.