Heat Stress in Sport and Exercise

Julien Périard is an Associate Professor at the University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise. He is also an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney and former Head of Research Operations for the Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre at Aspetar, Qatar. His scientific expertise lies in the area of environmental physiology, with his research examining the physiological mechanisms that mediate health and performance in adverse environments (heat and altitude). Associate Professor Périard has worked with both amateur and professional athletes from various disciplines, along with National and International Federations and occupational work groups.

Sébastien Racinais is Head of the Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre at Aspetar. He obtained his PhD in Exercise Physiology in the French West Indies in 2004 for his work on the effect of a warm humid environment and the circadian rhythm in core body temperature on muscle function. After lecturing for two years at the French West Indies University, he lectured at the University of Montpellier in France on training adaptations, and conducted research on the neural factors limiting performance. Since joining Aspetar in 2007, Sébastien has developed a research program on the adaptations of the human body to hot ambient conditions and their repercussions on sport performance. He created and runs a Special Interest Group (SIG) of physiologists with a strong interest in environmental physiology. Dr Racinais has also collaborated with various international sports federations on consensus statements on exercising in hot ambient conditions.