Introduction of studies on the prevention of heat disorders in Japan

Abstract

As global temperatures having been rising, there has been an increased incidence of heat disorders in Japan. In particular, cases of death due to heat-related injuries among subjects practicing outdoor sports and/or exercising or working outside have been reported. As heat disorders, for example those presenting as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps or heat rashes, are caused by hyperthermia and dehydration, attenuating the physiological strain induced by these symptoms is very important for preventing such disorders when engaging in outdoor exercises or while working outside during the summer. Several guidelines for preventing heat disorders have been proposed by official Japanese facilities based on the findings of many studies evaluating physiological responses and/or human activities in hot environments and assessing environmental and epidemiological factors related to heat conditions. In the present review, several studies on the prevention of heat disorders in Japan are introduced.