150919 Training room environmental climate conditions

150919 Training room environmental climate conditions

Temperature and humidity play an important role in personal comfort and in getting the most from your training sessions. Temperatures that are too high generate excessive heat build up in the strength trainee leading. This may lead to copious amounts of perspiration fluid loss. Individual tolerances to heat vary. In each case temperatures that are above 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) contribute to the onset of fatigue; both mental and physical. Once fatigue sets in the lifting becomes more demanding which leads to a loss of motor coordination. If this condition continues the likelihood that an injury will happen will be increased.

Conversely, temperatures below 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius) may place an athlete at risk for incurring an injury unless the warm up is sufficiently long enough to raise the body temperature, pulse and breathing rates. In both cases, unless preventive measures are taken, the work out may suffer.

In each instance the athlete must adjust to their surroundings and make the necessary changes in their warm up. If it is hot then fewer warm up sets will be required as opposed to lifting in a colder room. As long as the pulse, breathing rate and joints movement ranges of motion are dynamically brought up to the necessary operating stages for the production of strength and power the athlete is set to go.

Not only is temperature a concern but the humidity of the room has a bearing on the outcome of a successful training session. Relative humidity in the training area should be at 60% or less. The temperature in the room should also remain constant to prevent higher humidity and increased condensation from forming on and damaging the equipment.

While it is important to keep the humidity and temperature in the room at the recommended levels air flow is also a concern. Keeping a constant flow of new air helps maintain good air circulation. The circulating air provides a cooling effect in addition to eliminating odors from the room.

Observation of these environmental concerns and keeping them within the recommended healthy ranges will make your training area more receptive to building the strength and power in each of your athletes.

Hoffman, J. R. and Ratamess, N. A. A Practical Guide to Developing Resistance Training Programs, Coaches Choice 2006