5. Conclusions
HT
HEAT
In conclusion, improvements in ESQ symptoms occurred following HA and were sustained during HT. Our findings suggested that, when assessing ESQ symptoms, multiple variables should be considered and that monitoring should occur after each practice or training session. It is extremely important that ESQ symptoms are monitored frequently over the course of HAz, HA, and HT, as our study exemplified that these symptoms change over this course and that changes in ESQ symptoms can happen more gradually and sensitively to the stimuli. Practically, this is important for coaches to know, as they can easily monitor athletes’ symptoms using the ESQ to track any changes that may occur as athletes adapt to the heat. In the future, it may be more effective and convenient to have technology that can easily be accessed by athletes, allowing them to report ESQ symptoms following training sessions and practices in the heat. Additionally, it may be beneficial for teams that compete in the heat to continue participating in HT at least twice per week following initial pre-season heat exposure. Continued participation in HT twice per week will help facilitate the maintenance of favorable adaptations in environmental stress symptoms throughout the duration of the season. This will be beneficial in preventing environmental stress symptoms from negatively impacting performance when competing in extreme environments. Monitoring ESQ symptoms daily in addition to physiological measures is pertinent to understanding how athletes are adapting to exercise in the heat during initial and repeated exposure to sustain the optimal levels of all adaptations. 