University of Worcester carrying out study into how hot baths could help in heatwaves
The university's Female Heat Laboratory's investigation is aiming to see how taking regular hot baths can help people cope with the heat
A study by the University of Worcester is taking a look into how different methods could help people be able to deal with the heat better.
It's as temperatures remain high across both counties this week with an amber heat health alert from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in place from yesterday (8 July).
Research is being carried out by the university's Female Heat Laboratory, who are aiming to gather more information about the impacts the heat has on the female body, with most of the previous guidance being built around information gathered from males.
PhD student and research associate within the team, Emma Lawrence, said it's about using the data they get to present how it can help people cope when dealing with heatwaves.
"There's so much research into heat acclimation as a protocol, elite athletes typically go through heat acclimation, so exposing yourself to the heat prior to a heatwave or prior to competing abroad in a hot climate," she said.
"We're taking this research, which is currently in fit, young, healthy males, and extending it more into females.
"Hot baths is a very practical, accessible and attractive method of heat acclimation that we're hoping that more people will adopt into their daily life prior to a heatwave."
Research is 'exciting'
The study is being conducted over three months and is part of a section of work being carried out by the Female Heat Laboratory which is led by Dr Jessica Mee who is supported by a UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship worth £1m.
It's open to males and females between 18-65, and Dr Mee said it is an opportunity to help scientists understand heatwaves more and how to keep people safe in them.
She said: “In the UK, we have minimal opportunity to physiologically adapt as our hot weather is sporadic, making us particularly vulnerable when heat waves hit.
"The research we’re doing is really exciting, it builds on age-old wellness practices from Scandinavian cultures where heat exposure is a regular part of life.
"By normalising these methods, we hope to uncover potential health benefits that can help us stay safe and manage better during heat events.”
She added, the research will include people taking part in heat exposure sessions, fitness testing, and a structured hot bath programme to be completed at home, as well as monitoring such as blood sampling and temperature measures.