Zac Shlader

Zac Schlader is an Associate Professor of Kinesiology in the Indiana University School of Public Heath-Bloomington. Previously he was an Assistant Professor at the University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY),  Zac completed PhD at Massey University (New Zealand) in exercise science and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine (Dallas, TX). Zac’s research primarily aims to enhance resilience during exposure to environmental stressors (e.g., heat, cold, altitude, depth). Studies have focused on human behavior, and kidney, cardiovascular and splenic physiology. Zac’s lab has been continuously funded by major external agencies and he has over 130 peer reviewed publications, many of which have been led by trainees. Notable contributions include the identification of the role of skin wettedness (PMID: 32347543) to cool-seeking behavior during heat stress and the modifying effect of motivation conflict (PMID: 33548222).

Title: Behavioral responses to extreme heat

Description: During the presentation we will review the human behavioral responses during heat exposure. We wiil discuss the importance of thermal discomfort and the physiological and psychological factors influencing cool-seeking during heat stress.

Learning objectives: At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

1. Distinguish between autonomic and behavioral responses to heat.
2. Explain the importance of thermal discomfort in cool-seeking behavior.
3. Describe the factors influencing thermal discomfort during heat exposure.