Spartathlon runner warms up in university heat chamber
Ultramarathon athlete Laura Watts has thanked scientists at the University of Chichester for their help in her preparations for ‘the world’s most grueling race’ – the 153-mile Spartathlon.
Laura, who completed the race last week in 35 hours and 20 minutes, spent time training in the university’s climate-controlled chamber to get her body ready for the conditions in Greece.
She said the key to coping with the heat was fitness planning with Andy West, a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Physiology. He supervised her as she completed eight sessions in the University’s heat chamber to replicate the unforgiving Greek temperatures. The runner needed to ensure her core temperature was raised to 38.5°C for an hour at each training session in order for her body to get used to the heat of Spartathlon.
Laura said: “This is a wonderful facility for anyone training in the UK.”
Having already raced in two consecutive Badwater races in Death Valley in 2022 and 2023, Laura is no stranger to ultramarathons.
She said: “When I first heard about these ultra-long races I never thought I could do that. But to finish the Badwater race was the most incredible feeling. The highs and lows are so tough – I would hallucinate due to the heat – but the dark moments pass and the feeling of achievement is amazing. I couldn’t do it without the support of my husband and crew keeping me alive.”
Andy West, who specialises in exercise physiology, is part of the Sports Performance and Rehabilitation Unit at the University. The facility was developed to help athletes prepare for a variety of environmental conditions before they compete in worldwide events.
He said: “Repeated exposure to heat helps Laura’s body adapt to the heat. This type of training is designed to increase body temperature, induce high levels of sweating and increase skin blood flow.
“All of these responses stimulate physiological adaptations which improve tolerance to exercise in the heat and reduce the chances of suffering from heat illnesses, such as heat exhaustion.”
The climate chamber is intended for athletes who walk, run, cycle, and row around the globe to replicate temperature and humidity from minus-20 to plus-50 degrees Celsius and from ten to 90 per cent respectively. It can also simulate altitudes of up to around 22,000 feet by reducing the oxygen concentration in the room from approximately 21 to nine per cent.
To find out more about how University of Chichester is working with athletes to help compete in worldwide events contact Andy West at a.west@chi.ac.uk. Alternatively, for more about the climate chamber and other pioneering facilities offered at its Sports Performance and Rehabilitation Unit go to www.chi.ac.uk/spru.
