Christina Houslop has suffered a chamber of horrors after being called up for the England under-21s.

She had to acclimatise with the rest of the squad bound the European Cup in Spain today.

Christina and her squad mates sweated it out in two sessions inside a sports science room "the size of a squash court" at Hertford University near Hatfield She believes the exercises will help boost her country's bid for gold, but they were tough.

Christina, 20, from Horsted Keynes, said: "We expect the the temperatures to be around 40 degrees centigrade when we get to the south of Spain so it made sense to get used to such temperatures.

"We were locked up in this room covered in white panelling. It was the size of a squash court. It was really hot. I didn't want to ask how hot because it would have been psychologically off-putting for me.

"We had to do four sets of 12 minutes which involved sprinting, working on a rowing machine, holding a stick and sprinting and jogging on the spot and then going on a bike machine. They were trying to replicate the movements you need to make on the field.

"You also had an instrument in your ear so they could record your core temperature. They kept asking you if you felt dizzy. If you go two degrees above what you should do there could be heat strokes to contend with.

"Your weight was watched. I was weighed before the test, without anything on, and then weighed again at the end. The idea is to take on fluids while you are exercising so your weight stays the same. They said that a two per cent loss in weight was comparable to a four per cent loss in performance.

"They wanted to know about how much exertion you put in. They told us to tell them how much on a scale from one to ten and I told them eight-and-a-half. It was very hard and very hot. It was a killer at times!

"But we were told the more we do it the quicker our bodies will adapt.

"It's proof that hockey has come a long way from the little schoolgirl image the sport has.

"Personally I'm not too keen on hot temperatures.

"They make me feel tired when I play. But hopefully the acclimatisation will help me when we get out there."

Christina, twin sister of Commonwealth Games player Frances, revealed preparations would also involve jackets packed with ice.

She said: "The idea is to keep us cool. Frances wore one when she was on tour with her England squad. They would be useful but they look like bullet proof jackets."

Diet is also a factor.

"We've been told to bring our own food. I'll take cereals, noodles, jelly sweets and tuna, in flat packs to avoid weight and bulk, for protein. Some are taking kettles, but I can't find a flat one!"

The former Ardingly College pupil, with her sister, helped England to the European crown at under-18s.

She hopes she can complete a double without Frances.

Christina, who attended a four-day training camp last week, said: "That would be great.

"I honestly feel we have a fighting chance of the gold medal. We could be up against traditionally strong hockey nations like Holland and Germany but we'll be well prepared.

"I'm trying not to get too excited about my selection. I just see it as part of my development. It just comes if I improve.

"But I have to admit I am getting excited. I'm very happy and proud."

She will keep in touch with Frances through the tournament.

"We are very close. She might give me some advice, but mainly we'll be keeping in touch, mainly by e-mail, discussing anything but hockey. You need a break to recharge your batteries."

Christina has no problem with her sister being fast-tracked into senior international al hockey.

"It's just great that we can support each other. I might not be able to be there in Manchester but I hope to watch her on television. "