Author(s): COSTELLO, J., SATCHELL, L.1,2, NAVARRO, M.1, MUELLER, D.3, MORGAN, F.1, BADARIOTTI, J.1, WHITE, D.1, TIPTON, M.1, SCHLADER, Z.4, ANDO, S.5, MAYES, H.1, Institution: UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH, Country: UNITED KINGDOM, Abstract-ID: 1481

INTRODUCTION:
The behavioural responses available to humans are far more effective than physiological mechanisms for dealing with thermal discomfort and imbalance, typically evoked by perception of the thermal environment. Whilst perception of the environment is a holistic amalgamation of human senses, there is some evidence that humans prioritise visual information over other senses. Unfortunately, the current evidence exploring the relationship between visual manipulations and thermal perception is limited to ambient environments (1). Therefore, we tested the experimental hypothesis that (in)congruent visual manipulations would alter behavioural, physiological, and perceptual responses during exercise in the heat.
METHODS:
Twelve participants (6 female) (mean ± SD, age: 23.2 ± 3.5 years; height 76.0 ± 8.4 cm; mass 72.4 ± 10.3 kg; VO2max 36.3 ± 7.0 mL·kg·min-1) were exposed to three different visual environments [Control (No Virtual Reality (No VR)), an arid environment (Hot VR), and a snow environment (Cold VR)] whilst in a hot climatic chamber (35 °C, 50 % r.h.) in a randomised controlled cross over design. Participants completed a fixed-RPE protocol (6/10 CR-10 scale) on a cycle ergometer until power output dropped below 70% of their starting power. Behavioural (starting Watts, exercise duration), physiological (rectal temperature), and perceptual (thermal sensation, thermal comfort, and skin wettedness) measures were recorded throughout.
RESULTS:
The visual manipulations had no effect on exercise duration (control: 19.9±6.4, Hot VR: 19.4±6.8, Cold VR 18.4±7.3 mins; p = .468, ω2 = .03) or starting power (control: 131±21, Hot VR: 125±37, Cold VR 140±37 W; p = .077, ω2 = .03). Similarly, the visual manipulation did not alter any perceptual (p values = .116 to .808, ω2 = .00 to .02) or physiological (p values = .397 to .770, ω2 = .00 to .01) variables.
CONCLUSION:
The novel findings from this experiment suggest that visual manipulation using VR did not alter behavioural thermoregulation, perceptual, or thermophysiological variables during a fixed-RPE cycling protocol in a hot environment. Therefore, the hypothesis is rejected. Further research is needed to explore the utility of VR, and visual manipulations in the selection, preparation and protection of athletes and workers performing in extreme environments.

1. Mayes, H. S., Navarro, M., Satchell, L. P., Tipton, M. J., Ando, S., & Costello, J. T. (2023). The effects of manipulating the visual environment on thermal perception: A structured narrative review. Journal of Thermal Biology, 112, 103488.