NCT07267598 Suitability of a 26 °C Indoor Environment for Mitigating Heat Strain in Young Adults
| NCT ID | NCT07267598 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of Ottawa |
| Condition | Heat Stress |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 10 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-11-07 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-03-30 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 10 participants in total. It began in 2025-11-07 with a primary completion date of 2026-03-30.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
While an indoor upper temperature limit of 26 °C has been shown to protect heat-vulnerable older adults (DOI: 10.1289/EHP11651), this guideline has not been verified in young, habitually active adults. Public health recommendations during hot weather typically emphasize staying in cool environments, avoiding strenuous activity, wearing lightweight clothing, and maintaining adequate hydration. However, young adults may be less likely to follow these guidelines. They often do not reduce their physical activity during extreme heat events and may overdress for fashion, cultural, or religious reasons. These behaviors can impose an additional thermoregulatory burden and lead to greater physiological strain during heat exposure, even though young adults generally have a higher capacity for heat dissipation than older individuals. Accordingly, it is important to evaluate whether an indoor temperature limit of 26 °C is sufficient to protect young, habitually active adults. To address this gap, the investigators aim to assess changes in body temperature and cardiovascular strain in young, habitually active adults (18-29 years) during an 8-hour exposure to the recommended indoor upper temperature limit of 26 °C and 45% relative humidity (humidex of 29, considered comfortable). Participants will complete two conditions: A) seated rest while dressed in light clothing (T-shirt, shorts, and socks), and B) light exercise (stepping to simulate activities of daily living, 4-4.5 METs) performed once per hour (except for the lunch hour) while dressed in light clothing plus an additional insulating layer (sweatshirt and sweatpants). This experimental design will allow investigators to determine the effects of added clothing insulation and light activity-representative of typical daily behaviors-on physiological strain in young adults, and to assess whether refinements to the recommended 26 °C indoor temperature limit are warranted for this population.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Non-smoking. * English or French speaking. * Ability to provide informed consent. * Healthy young adults without chronic disease (e.g., type 1 diabetes, hypertension) Exclusion Criteria: * Endurance trained (i.e., engaged in regular physical training activities more than 3 times a week for more than 1 hour per session). * Undergoing passive heat exposures such as regular of saunas, warm-water immersion, other. * Use of or changes in medication judged by the patient or investigators to make participation in this study inadvisable. * Current pregnancy
Contact & Investigator
Glen P Kenny, PhD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
University of Ottawa
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07267598 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 29 Years, studying Heat Stress. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07267598 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07267598 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at gkenny@uottawa.ca for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07267598 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Ottawa, Canada.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07267598 clinical trial?
NCT07267598 is sponsored by University of Ottawa. The principal investigator is Glen P Kenny, PhD at University of Ottawa. The trial plans to enroll 10 participants.