Acclimatization is the act and result of acclimatization. This verb, which comes from the French acclimater, refers to getting a living being to adapt to a different climate or environment than the one they are used to.
For examples: “I recommend that you bring this bush to your garden: it does not require much care and it is easy to acclimatize”, “Matías’ acclimatization process to the new school is being complicated”, “After some months of acclimatization, the Player has already found his best form ”.
Acclimatization, in a physiological sense involves the adaptation of an organism to the changes that occur in its environment. It is a period whose length varies according to the species and the circumstances of the change.
In the face of environmental changes, the living being can register changes in its biochemistry, morphology and behavior. In some animals, to name a case, the hair grows more intensely in the winter so that the specimens can resist low temperatures and thus achieve acclimatization.
The idea of acclimatization is also used synonymously with accustoming or adaptation in a broad sense. Take the case of a 19-year-old Paraguayan footballer who is hired by a German team. The young man, who never lived or played outside his country, will have to get used to another language, different habits, new companions, etc. Therefore, you may have to go through an acclimatization period until you feel comfortable in your new club and be able to perform at your level.
Sometimes it is very common for the terms adaptation and acclimatization to be confused. However, it must be established that, although related because they refer to the responses an individual gives to the environment, they are different.
In this way, we find the fact that the word adaptation should be used when it comes to mentioning what adaptation is from a genetic point of view. That means that it is in close connection with what is known as natural selection and that allows beings to live, survive and persist in some places or others with different climatic conditions.
On the other hand, there is acclimatization. This word we have to explain that it should be used when we refer to what adaptation is but from a physiological level. In this case, it is established that it occurs in a timely manner, has specific characteristics and circumstances and then disappears when they also disappear.
Examples of people for whom acclimatization plays a key role are mountaineers or mountaineers. When they are going to carry out a new adventure at a summit, they must follow a series of guidelines in order to acclimatize and that it ends up being positive:
-They should not ascend more than 400 meters a day.
-It is necessary to establish rest days.
-They must be in good health and physical shape.
-It is essential that they drink plenty of water while they must carry out a diet rich in starches and in what are sugars.