Distinct physiological responses to heat acclimation in males and females lead to similar thermal adaptations in both sexes

Abstract

We evaluated sex differences in the magnitude and time course of physiological adaptations to heat stress using a generalizable and practical protocol (i.e., standardized work rate in the heat). Men and women had similar adaptations in core temperature, despite greater sweating in the men. We also report for the first time that intracellular heat shock protein 72 increases similarly in males and females during heat acclimation.