HEPRU - Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit

The Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit (HEPRU) is located in the heart of the nation's capital on the main campus of the University of Ottawa.

We recruit many people including individuals with diabetes (type 1 & 2), hypertension, overweight adults, young adults, sedentary, athletic, and so on! All between the ages of 18-75 years old. Did you know that performing any kind of exercise or physical work causes the body to heat up quickly? This heat is lost mainly by evaporating sweat from the skin, helping to keep the body cool. However, whe

n the body is unable to sweat enough to keep cool, fatigue can develop, which can quickly lead to heat-related illnesses. As we age, our body’s ability to lose heat is reduced and the effect is more pronounced in individuals with diabetes. When combined with the age-related reductions in physical capacity, older adults and individuals with diabetes can experience greater fatigue when performing exercise or work, especially in the heat. If you want to learn about your physical fitness and are interested in helping researchers at the University of Ottawa study the effects of exercise-induced heat stress in older adults and individuals with diabetes. Our research activities are directed at advancing our understanding of the mechanisms governing human thermoregulatory control. Our work explores the human response associated with physical work performed during exposure to adverse and/or extreme environments. We examine how individual factors such as age, physical fitness, obesity and chronic health disorders (such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes) influence the physiological response while at the same time exploring the benefits of exercise in managing disease and human performance. Integration of advanced technologies, new knowledge and medical/industrial need has defined our research program with the key outputs being 1) improvement of the health and well being of Canadians, especially the Canadian workforce; and 2) the development/improvement of appropriate management tools that control or eliminate heat stress conditions. Our research unit is constantly seeking volunteers to participate in our studies. We provide opportunities for students to gain insight into to what physiology research is really like, a chance to meet fellow students in the health field, a method for individuals to seek volunteer hours, as well as apply knowledge from class to a real world setting. We also provide opportunities to individuals not associated with the University. As our lab conducts many studies pertaining to age differences, we are always seeking individuals from a wide age and fitness range (i.e. whether your twenty years of age or seventy or a ex iron man or a couch potato). To compensate for individuals who do seek to volunteer we offer free aerobic fitness and body composition testing. If you're at all interested in the research we conduct, drop us a line and give us a shout!

11/01/2019

Although summer is officially over, heat stress still poses a health risk during physical activity, even in temperate conditions. Fortunately, uOttawa researchers continue to develop strategies to keep us safe when the heat is on. Our recent work has demonstrated that older adults, especially those with diabetes, have a reduced ability to keep cool, although this impairment can be offset with exercise-training.

To find out more and get some tips on exercise and beating the heat, you can visit: www.hepru.ca. Or you can volunteer to participate in a study. We are looking for people with and without chronic health conditions to participate. All eligible participants receive a free fitness evaluation (~$650 value). For details see the flyer below or email us at: [email protected].

Photos from HEPRU - Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit's post

08/18/2019

Are you interested in learning how your children may be affected by hot temperatures? We are currently investigating how preadolescent children respond to rest and exercise in the heat. We are seeking children between the ages of 10-14 years to participate in our study.

For more information or if your child may be interested in participating, please visit our website at the following link:
https://hepru.ca/volunteer

06/25/2019

Afin d’outiller les aînés du milieu, une conférence sur les bons réflexes à avoir lors de périodes de canicules sera offerte gratuitement par le Dr. Martin Poirier, le mercredi, 26 juillet à 13h30. Elle s’adressera aux diabétiques mais aussi aux aînés en général, de cette façon tout le monde sera prêt à faire face aux chaleurs de l’été !

L’activité se déroulera dans la salle d’activités du Centre Action Générations des Aînés, au 390 avenue de Buckingham, au sous-sol.

Au plaisir de vous voir en grand nombre!

03/22/2019

Seniors needed to help researchers investigate climate change! For more information, you can call 613-562-5800, ext. 4270 or email us at [email protected].

The Orléans Star

02/15/2019

ARE YOU 35 TO 45 YEARS OF AGE? WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR PHYSICAL FITNESS? Researchers at the University of Ottawa are currently seeking volunteers to participate in studies assessing how the body responds to heat during exercise. Every qualifying participants receives a free aerobic fitness assessment (VO2max) and body composition analysis (valued at $650)!

For more information, please give us a call at 613-562-5800 ext. 4270 or email us at [email protected].

02/15/2019

01/27/2019

Do you want to learn more about your health and fitness?

Researchers at HEPRU at the University of Ottawa are currently seeking volunteers to participate in studies assessing how the body responds to heat at rest and during exercise. We are seeking to understand how different factors such as a person’s s*x, age, state of health, fitness, hydration status, acclimatization state and others can affect an individual’s tolerance to heat.

This information will inform new guidelines and heat protection strategies to safeguard health during exposure to heat.

Please contact us at [email protected] or 613-562-5800, ext.4270 for more information.

Make sure to check our our new website for more information on our latest research - www.hepru.ca.

04/11/2018

Check out our new website at www.hepru.ca for more information regarding our research and volunteer opportunities!

Testing the Limits of Human Performance HEPRU conducts comprehensive research dedicated to understanding how humans perform in adverse environments. Using the world's only whole-body direct calorimeter (a device used to precisely measure the heat emitted by the human body), HEPRU has the unique ability to examine the effects of changing....

10/26/2017

Soyez-y le 12 novembre! Be there on November 12!

Fitness‐related differences in the rate of whole‐body evaporative heat loss in exercising men are heat‐load dependent

10/26/2017

Check out our new paper in Experimental Physiology - Fitness-related differences in whole-body heat loss are heat load dependent!

Fitness‐related differences in the rate of whole‐body evaporative heat loss in exercising men are heat‐load dependent The effect of aerobic fitness (defined as rate of peak oxygen consumption) on heat loss during exercise is thought to be related to the level of heat stress. However, it remains unclear at what combined...

Claim ownership or report listing

Want your school to be the top-listed School/college in Ottawa?

Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.

Location

Ottawa

Contact the school

Click here to send a message to the school

Telephone

+16135625800

Website

http://hepru.ca/

Address

125 University Private, Montpetit Hall Room 311
Ottawa, ON
K1N6N5