#75 - Physiology of exercise in extreme environments: sex as a biological variable with Dr Nisha Charkoudian

Dr Glenn McConell chats with Associate Professor Nisha Charkoudian from the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, USA. She is an expert on the effects of extreme environments on exercise capacity. We talked about dehydration, electrolytes, effects of humid vs dry environments etc. We also discussed the importance of considering sex as a biological variable. This included including both sexes in studies even if underpowered to examine both. We then discussed the importance of conducting more studies on thermoregulation and blood pressure with aging. A very interesting chat.0:00. Introduction3:45. What is the definition of extreme environments?5:05. Who gets the hottest/has the most issues with heat?9:00. Effects of humid vs dry environments and hydration12:05. Should drink until urine is clear before a race?16:10. Should people worry about electrolytes?20:44. Sex as a biological variable. Women not more fragile etc23:30. Sex differences in heat acclimation25:20. No difference in risk of heat stroke between the sexes25:50. If no difference then just study one sex?27:38. Need to include women even if small sample32:34. Even if underpowered it’s ok to include both sexes40:20. Gender vs sex, binary vs non binary etc42:00. Women and blood flow/blood pressure/heat etc49:05. Body surface area and heat/cold52:01. Progesterone and body core temperature54:25. Aging and thermogerulation57:35. Takeaway messages1:00:44. OutroInside Exercise brings to you the who's who of research in exercise metabolism, exercise physiology and exercise’s effects on health. With scientific rigor, these researchers discuss popular exercise topics while providing practical strategies for all.The interviewer, Emeritus Professor Glenn McConell, has an international research profile following 30 years of Exercise Metabolism research experience while at The University of Melbourne, Ball State University, Monash University, the University of Copenhagen and Victoria University.He has published over 120 peer reviewed journal articles and recently edited an Exercise Metabolism eBook written by world experts on 17 different topics (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-94305-9).Connect with Inside Exercise and Glenn McConell at:Twitter: @Inside_exercise and @GlennMcConell1Instagram: insideexerciseFacebook: Glenn McConellLinkedIn: Glenn McConell https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-mcconell-83475460ResearchGate: Glenn McConellEmail: [email protected] to Inside exercise:Spotify: shorturl.at/tyGHLApple Podcasts: shorturl.at/oFQRUYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@insideexerciseAnchor: https://anchor.fm/insideexerciseGoogle Podcasts: shorturl.at/bfhHIAnchor: https://anchor.fm/insideexercisePodcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4025218Not medical advice