Keeping indoor temperature at 26 °C to reduce heat strain in healthy young adults

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a 26 °C Indoor Temperature Limit to Mitigate Physiological Strain in Young, Habitually Active Adults

Not applicable Interventional University of Ottawa · NCT07267598

This will test whether keeping indoor temperatures at 26 °C protects healthy, habitually active young adults from heat strain and cognitive changes.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment10 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 29 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Ottawa Academic / other
Locations1 site (Ottawa, Ontario)
Trial IDNCT07267598 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional study exposes healthy, non-smoking young adults to a simulated indoor environment with an upper temperature limit of 26 °C while measuring physiological and cognitive responses. Participants who are not endurance-trained and who have no chronic disease will complete controlled activity sessions while researchers monitor core temperature, heart rate, sweat rate, and cognitive performance. The protocol excludes people with regular passive heat exposures (e.g., saunas), current pregnancy, or medication changes that make participation inadvisable. All visits are conducted in person at the University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Ontario.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy, non-smoking adults who are habitually active but not endurance-trained, speak English or French, can give informed consent, and can attend in-person visits in Ottawa.

Not a fit: People who are endurance-trained, regularly use saunas or warm-water immersion, have chronic medical conditions, are pregnant, or cannot travel to Ottawa may not receive direct benefit from this study's findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could clarify whether a 26 °C indoor limit adequately protects active young adults and help shape public heat-safety guidance.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research showed a 26 °C indoor limit protected heat-vulnerable older adults, but this guideline has not been tested in young, habitually active adults.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion 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

Where this trial is running

Ottawa, Ontario

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 Heat StressPhysiological StressCognitive ChangeIndoor overheatingIndoor temperaturesHeat waveThermoregulationHeat strain
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.