Thermoregulation, fluid balance, and reliability in paralympic sport: exploring core temperature responses, hydration habits, and mobility performance assessments

This thesis investigates the physiological challenges faced by Para athletes, focusing on thermoregulation, hydration, and the reliability of performance assessments. Four key objectives were addressed: (1) to characterize hydration habits and fluid balance in female para hockey players during competition in a cool environment, (2) to examine the thermal demands and mobility performance of wheelchair rugby (WCR) athletes during international competition, (3) to evaluate the repeatability of anaerobic and aerobic mobility performance tests in athletes with a spinal cord injury (SCI), and (4) to assess the reliability of time-to-exhaustion (TTE) performance and thermoregulatory responses in athletes with cervical SCI (cSCI). The findings revealed that female para hockey players exhibited hydration habits similar to able-bodied athletes, with notable variability in fluid intake and sweat loss. In WCR athletes, thermal stress was strongly associated with game duration, highlighting the need for individualized hydration and thermal management strategies. A systematic review of performance tests demonstrated high reliability for shorter-duration, linear tasks but greater variability in complex, pivoting movements and aerobic tasks. Finally, TTE tests using an arm-ergometer at lactate threshold one (LT1) in athletes with cSCI, showed consistent maximal thermoregulatory responses but emphasized caution in estimating aerobic performance due to higher variability. These results provide actionable insights for optimizing training, competition strategies, and safety protocols, contributing to a deeper understanding of Para athlete performance.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Applied Bioscience

Grantor

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Gavel, Erica Heidi

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Logan-Sprenger , Heather

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10155/1970

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ontariotechu.scholaris.ca:10155/1970