Research
Space-Age Technology
The HEAT Institute is dedicated to conducting cutting-edge research using space-age technologies involving thermoregulation and fluid and electrolyte balance in athletes at risk of suffering heat-related illness. The HEAT Institute has partnered with companies such as VivoMetrics and HQI to explore innovative ways to study physiological parameters in collision sport athletes during actual on-field and on-ice activities.
Prior to these technological developments, studies were limited to the laboratory environment and experimental protocols. Most important, data from these investigations does not usually provide accurate insight into “real-life” athletic situations.
Studies with College and Professional Football Players
The HEAT Institute has received grants from NFL Charities to compare intravenous versus oral rehydration in football players, and from the NCAA to investigate acclimatization in players prior to and after changes in NCAA legislation for pre-season football. Dr. Fowkes Godek has secured funding for and completed extensive data collections with the Philadelphia Eagles professional football team during its 2003 - 2006 pre-season training camps. Now, after collecting pilot data with the Eagles and Minnesota Vikings during the 2006 pre-season, the HEAT Institute is initiating a multi-site NFL study to investigate core temperature and heat illness responses in football players practicing in different environmental conditions. The HEAT Institute is currently working with Troy Vincent, a former Philadelphia Eagles player and current president of the NFL Players Association.
Studies with Professional Ice Hockey Players
Members of the HEAT Institute are currently working with the Philadelphia Flyers organization. They completed a two-week series of data collections with the ice hockey players during their pre-season training camp in 2006, including the collection of core-temperature and sweat-rate data during a pre-season game. As with the on-going investigations in professional football players, this is the first such research in the world involving thermoregulation and electrolyte balance in professional ice hockey players. The HEAT Institute has continued with numerous investigations during the 2006 -2007 NHL season and currently the research has expanded to include the use of the VivoMetric’s LifeShirt technology.