Chris Minson, Ph.D., University of Oregon, to present seminar on 11/16/18 at 11:00 LIB-110: “Heat Acclimation: An Ancient Practice Re-Examined”

Chris Minson, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Human Physiology
University of Oregon

“Heat Acclimation: An Ancient Practice Re-Examined”

Humans have an incredible ability to adapt to a hot environment. Many of the short-term accommodations to acute heat stress are similar to exercise. This has led to the idea that repetitive, chronic heat exposures, in the form of sauna or hot tub use, may result in improved cardiovascular, metabolic, and memory health. While there is increased interest in “heat therapy” to treat cardiometabolic health, there is much we do not understand about the underlying mechanisms, or the best clinical practices to utilize heat therapy. Similar to exercise, there may be ideal modalities, protocols, and intensities in different populations. Increased expression of heat shock proteins, a family of highly conserved molecules occurring in all organisms that are involved in many regulatory pathways, may underlie many of the adaptations to chronic heat stress. However, there are few studies in humans that have looked into these important messengers. Current research in Dr. Minson’s lab is focused on exploiting our adaptability to heat to improve human health and exercise performance.

Friday, November 16, 2018, 11:00AM-12:00PM, LIB-110
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Fort Worth, Texas