ABSTRACT
Rugby is a physically demanding sport and combined with the demands experienced in warm humid environments this means that players can experience a range of thermoregulatory responses that may impact on performance. However, research provides the coach and player with a range of strategies that might help to minimise the negative effects of increasing body temperature and fluid loss due to sweating. This chapter discusses mechanisms of heat exchange, methods for monitoring changes in body temperature and fluid loss, and strategies to counter heat-induced reductions in rugby performance.
