It then measures the subjects’ metabolic, cardiovascular and thermoregulatory responses to heat stress as they undergo physiological testing.
“Usually, we undertake experiments here via passively heating our individuals,” said Associate Professor Jason Lee, director of the school’s Heat Resilience and Performance Centre.
“We look at cognitive performance and learning ability. We (also) exert individuals while they are performing a task and look at their limits in various conditions.”
His field of study examines various methods and solutions to ensure that humans can thrive in evolving environments, including warming temperatures.
“All of us will one way or the other be negatively affected by rising heat. Humans can feel more fatigued. Heat can compromise work productivity, exacerbate existing health conditions and worsen mental health conditions,” Prof Lee said.
“From an epidemiological perspective, associations with heat stress are there … I expect (as the temperature increases, it) could induce a significant load on our already overloaded healthcare system.”