Abstract
This study investigated the effect of 5 days controlled hyperthermia heat acclimation (STHA) on the determinants of endurance performance and 5 km performance in runners, relative to the impairment afforded by moderate heat stress. A control group (CON), matched for total work and power output (2.7 W.kg -1), differentiated thermal and exercise contributions of STHA on exercise performance. Seventeen participants (10 STHA, 7 CON) completed graded exercise tests (GXT) in cool (13°C, 50% RH, pre training) and hot conditions (32°C, 60% RH, pre and post training), as well as 5 km time trials (TT) in the heat, pre and post training. STHA reduced resting (p=0.01) and exercising (p=0.04) TCORE alongside a smaller change in thermal sensation (p=0.04). Both groups improved the lactate threshold (LT, p=0.021), lactate turnpoint (LTP, p=0.005) and vV̇O2max (p=0.031) similarly. Statistical differences between training methods were observed in TT performance (STHA -6.2[5.5]%, CON; -0.6[1.7]%, p=0.029) and total running time during the GXT (STHA; +20.8[12.7]%, CON; +9.8[1.2]%, p=0.006). There were large mean differences in change in V̇O2max between STHA +4.0 (2.2) mL.kg-1.min-1 (7.3[4.0]%) and CON +1.9(3.7)mL.kg-1.min-1 (3.8[7.2]%). Running economy deteriorated following both training programmes (p=0.008). Similarly, RE was impaired in the cool GXT, relative to the hot GXT (p=0.004). STHA improved endurance running performance in comparison to work matched normothermic training, despite equality of adaptation for typical determinants of performance (LT, LTP, vV̇O2max). Accordingly, these data highlight the ergogenic effect of STHA, potentially via greater improvements in V̇O2max and specific thermoregulatory and associated thermal perception adaptations absent in normothermic training.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 285-294 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 18 Nov 2016 |
Bibliographical note
© 2016, NRC Research Press. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy.Keywords
- Heat acclimation
- hyperthermia
- endurance
- V4O2max
- thermoregulation
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Short term heat acclimation improves the determinants of endurance performance and 5,000m running performance in the heat'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Profiles
-
Alan Richardson
- School of Education, Sport and Health - Associate Dean Academic Operations
- Centre for Lifelong Health
Person: Academic