43. Dr. Chris Minson - Head of the University of Oregon Department of Physiology - Expert in Human Adaptations to Environmental Extremes & Athletic Performance in high heat

The Professional Athlete Podcast with Ken Gunter

Can controlled exposure to heat unlock improved athletic performance? Dr. Christopher Minson, Head of University of Oregon Department of Physiology and an expert in thermoregulation, sits down to answer the question. A former competitive athlete himself, Dr. Minson shares how the combination of his interest in athletics paired with a fascination for research led to him becoming one of the preeminent authorities on physiological adaptations to extreme environments.

In today’s show we discuss how he works with professional and olympic athletes to prepare them for adverse environmental conditions. The physiological adaptations that take place when exposed to prolonged sessions of heat. How they can be used to increase athletic performance in hot conditions and the evidence that suggests these adaptations can likewise enhance performance at cooler temperatures. The benefits of heat exposure and the dangers of living thermostatically for the average person. He describes the cutting edge environmental chamber the team at the University of Oregon has built to recreate harsh environmental training conditions for athletes and participants. He also shares how the average person can safely expose themselves to bouts of heat and why for the sake of longevity it may be in their benefit to do so.

Mentioned In the Show:

Video of the Environmental Chamber: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkzgwzDPWmM&t=3s

Follow Dr. Minson:

Dr. Minson’s University of Oregon Profile: https://physiology.uoregon.edu/profile/minson/

Dr. Minson’s Twitter: @ChrisMinson

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Produced By: Justin Gunter, Ken Gunter

Music By: Justin Gunter, Ken Gunter