How a large simulated burn affects cooling down after exercise in hot conditions

The Effect of Simulated Burn Injury on Post Exercise Recovery in Hot Environments

Not applicable Interventional University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · NCT07050264

This project will test whether covering 60% of the body to simulate a burn makes healthy adults take longer to cool down after exercising in the heat.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment28 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Dallas, Texas)
Trial IDNCT07050264 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Healthy adults aged 18–65 will perform a bout of exercise in a hot environment while investigators apply an absorbent, impermeable material over 60% of the body to simulate a burn injury. Core body temperature and other thermoregulatory markers will be measured during and after exercise to determine the rate of temperature recovery. The protocol compares post-exercise cooling with the simulated burn condition to previously observed responses in non-burned conditions. Participants with major medical problems, pregnancy, recent smoking history, certain medications, or BMI ≥ 31 kg/m2 are excluded to isolate the thermoregulatory effect of the simulated injury.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults 18–65 years old without major chronic illnesses, not pregnant, nonsmokers, with BMI under 31 kg/m2 and not taking medications that affect heat regulation.

Not a fit: People with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological disorders, recent smokers, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, those on thermoregulatory medications, or with BMI ≥ 31 kg/m2 are excluded and would not be expected to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could improve guidance on safe activity and cooling strategies for burn survivors and people with large-area skin grafts in hot environments.

How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown that real and simulated large-area burns impair heat loss and lead to higher core temperatures during exercise, but post-exercise recovery rates have not been clearly defined.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 and 65 years of age
* free of any significant underlying medical problems based upon a detailed medical history and physical exam, and normal resting electrocardiogram.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Known heart disease
* other chronic medical conditions requiring regular medical therapy including cancer, diabetes, neurological diseases, and uncontrolled hypertension, etc. as well as serious abnormalities detected on routine screening.
* Individuals who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding will be excluded, this will be confirmed in females using a urine pregnancy test.
* Taking prescribed medications (such as beta blockers and non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers) or over-the-counter medications that have known influences on thermoregulatory response.
* Current smokers, as well as individuals who regularly smoked within the past 3 years.
* body mass index is ≥ 31 kg/m2.

Where this trial is running

Dallas, Texas

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Burn InjuryBody Temperature RegulationCardiovascular Physiology
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.