Psycho-physiological profiling of people with low versus high heat resilience

Physiological Phenotyping

This project will test whether controlled heat and UV exposures plus physiological and psychological measurements can identify healthy adults who are more or less resilient to heat.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 80 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Thessaly (other)
• Drugs / interventions: radiation
• Locations: 2 sites (Copenhagen and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07510061 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The project combines controlled laboratory heat and ultraviolet exposures with behavioral and physiological measurements to profile heat tolerance in adults from northern and southern Europe. Participants will complete heat-exposure and light-exercise protocols while researchers collect blood, urine, and optional skin biopsy samples and record cardiovascular, thermoregulatory, and psychological responses. Data from Copenhagen and Trikala sites will be integrated and analyzed with machine-learning algorithms to derive predictive signatures of heat vulnerability. Field investigations in ecological settings will complement lab findings to improve real-world applicability and support development of personalized alert and advisory tools.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal participants are healthy adults aged 18–65 living in Denmark or Greece who can undergo controlled heat exposure, provide blood, urine and optional skin biopsy samples, have Fitzpatrick skin type I–IV, and have not had recent heat acclimatization or extensive sun exposure.

Not a fit: People with cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, or dermatological disease, a history of heat-related illness, pregnancy or breastfeeding, use of medications affecting thermoregulation, smokers, or those outside the 18–65 age range are excluded and unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable personalized warnings and guidance that reduce heat-related illness and decrease strain on healthcare services.

How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and epidemiological research has linked physiological and behavioral factors to heat vulnerability, but combining controlled exposures across climates with machine-learning for personalized alerts is largely novel.

Eligibility criteria

Study Population

Healthy adult volunteers residing in Denmark (Northern Europe) or Greece (Southern Europe).

Inclusion Criteria

* Age 18-65 years (or your protocol-specific age range)
* Healthy as determined by medical history screening questionnaire
* Able to provide written informed consent
* Able to complete heat exposure and light exercise protocol
* No heat acclimatization or extensive sun exposure in the previous 4 weeks
* Fitzpatrick skin type I-IV (if applicable for UV testing)
* Willing to undergo blood sampling, urine collection, and skin biopsy

Exclusion Criteria

* History of cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, or dermatological disease
* History of heat-related illness (e.g., heat stroke)
* Use of medications affecting thermoregulation or cardiovascular function
* Smoking or substance abuse
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Abnormal ECG or uncontrolled hypertension
* Recent severe sunburn or UV treatment
* Contraindications to skin biopsy
* Inability to tolerate heat exposure during screening

Where this trial is running

Copenhagen and 1 other locations

• Københavns Universitet — Copenhagen, Denmark (RECRUITING)
• Department of Physical Education and Sport Science — Trikala, Thessaly, Greece (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Andreas D Flouris, PhD — 1FAME Laboratory, Department of Exercise Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
• Study coordinator: Maria Vliora, PhD

Conditions: Skin Cancer, Heat Tolerance, Heat-related Illness, Hyperthermia, Heat Stress, Ultraviolet Radiation-Related Skin Damage, Heat-Related Illness, Heat Vulnerability