Now an award-winning innovation (Excellence in Technology Transfer Award 2023) that is used by the Dutch army, this app estimates the core temperature of users needing to acclimatise for hot environments, such as athletes and the military. The tool provides training programmes that are individually tailored to each user to improve safety and efficiency.
Due to the core temperatures of individuals being difficult and impractical to measure during training, it has previously been challenging to create programmes that are safe and efficient for everyone to acclimatise to hot environments. As a result, generic training programmes have typically under-performed because individuals’ physical responses and limitations can vary within the same environmental conditions.
Jointly developed by the Institute of Naval Medicine (INM) and the U.S. Army, the Individual Heat Acclimatisation Training Tool (iHATT) prevents heat illness by helping users safely adapt to hot environments as quickly as possible. The iHATT app is enabled through a wearable device, such as a smart watch, and allows an individual to push themselves within their optimal limits so they become acclimatised quickly, while maintaining the health and safety of the user.
Within the programme, a lower limit ensures a minimum level of effort, while an upper limit prevents heat illness during training. Activities in the training programme are modified over time to respond to the person’s progress, and the tool can also include ‘background’ acclimatisation if worn 24/7 to determine a cumulative response.
In addition, an ‘Individual Acclimatisation Dosimeter’ determines the percentage of acclimatisation attained over repeated days of exercise, allowing the coach or military commander to understand the progression of the individual’s acclimatisation.
The iHATT tool can be used in conjunction with a range of exercises, such as running, cycling (ergometer), circuit training, stepping, or rowing in a hot environment.
For athletes working across the world, the iHATT can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses that could prevent an individual from being able to compete or train.
For those in the military who may need to wear full uniforms and carry heavy equipment in physically demanding roles, it is essential for their health and wellbeing to be able to acclimatise quickly and safely to hot environments and conditions.
This tool can be utilised in any role that requires individuals to adapt to hot or humid environments to improve safety and efficiency – this includes, but is not limited to, firefighters, oil rig workers, international charity workers, documentary or film makers, people who travel to work in desert environments, and more.
If you would like to discuss this technology or collaboration opportunities with our team, please get in touch below.
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