A specialist heat chamber at the University of Chichester has been featured in a documentary about preparing for one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons.
BADWATER 135: The Long Way Round follows runner David Bone as he prepares to take on the 135-mile Badwater race in Death Valley, California.
The short documentary was made by award-winning filmmaker Max McGee and explores the physical and mental demands of training for the event, which is known for its extreme desert heat and steep climbs.
As part of his preparation, David used the heat chamber at the university’s Sport Performance and Rehabilitation Unit.
Training inside the chamber allows a runner’s internal body temperature to rise above 38.5°C, helping the body gradually adapt to exercising in hot conditions.
Sessions are supervised by the university’s sports scientists and are regularly used by athletes preparing for events in extreme climates.
In the documentary, David trained for an hour in temperatures of 41°C.
Andy Briggs, Physiology Lab Technician and PhD student at the university, explained how researchers could measure the amount of sweat and sodium David lost during the session.
The results help athletes understand how much fluid and electrolytes they may need to replace during a race.
Andy said: “Having athletes like David visit the university provides a fantastic opportunity for us and our students to support their training and get them in the best possible shape to undertake these incredible challenges.”
The film also features local runner Laura Watts, who has been using the heat chamber while preparing for her fifth Badwater race.
She is the only British woman to have completed the ultramarathon more than twice.
The university’s heat chamber supports athletes training for some of the world’s most demanding endurance events.
Staff recently worked with four runners preparing for the Marathon des Sables, a multi-day race across the Sahara Desert.
More information about heat acclimation training and the services offered by the Sport Performance and Rehabilitation Unit is available on the University of Chichester website.
BADWATER 135: The Long Way Round can also be watched on YouTube BADWATER 135: The Long Way Round
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