ABSTRACT
Exposure to extreme environments increases physiological strain during exercise and impacts performance. This chapter reviews what the sports nutrition professional needs to consider. Hot environments negatively impact performance in prolonged exercise and increase the risk of exertional heat illness. Heat acclimation or acclimatisation, the maintenance of adequate hydration, and the use of cold or iced fluids before or during exercise may provide an additional benefit, especially in humid conditions when evaporative heat losses are reduced. Cold environments usually have less impact on health or performance since exercise and adequate clothing can maintain core temperature. However, protective clothing provides practical challenges in accessing and consuming food and fluids, and these foods may go hard or even freeze if not kept close to a heat source like the body. Real and simulated altitude challenges the body’s ability to deliver oxygen for optimal performance. Acclimatisation to altitude involves increased haemoglobin mass, which draws significantly on body iron stores. Assessing iron status and supplementation is typically recommended in anticipation of such exposure.
