The Navy SEAL Physical Fitness Guide 185
Chapter 11 Training for Specific Environments
Physical training in extreme conditions, such as
hot, cold, or high altitude environments, presents special challenges. Even highly
accomplished athletes can be quickly overcome by “environmental exposure” injuries if
proper preparation is overlooked or if signs and symptoms of impending illness are
ignored. To compound matters, many extreme environments tend to be isolated and
difficult to access. Proper planning and preparation before entering such areas can help
ensure safe and beneficial training.
One way of adapting to a new environment is “acclimation”. Acclimation is
defined as the continuous or repeated exposure to heat, cold, altitude, or some new
environment so as to provoke physiologic or biochemical changes that allow you to better
tolerate the new environment. Thus, acclimation is the gradual change the body goes
through as it adapts to a new environment. This chapter will focus on training under
environmental conditions which require acclimation, and also under confined spaces.