Short-term heat acclimation preserves knee extensor torque but does not improve 20 km self-paced cycling performance in the heat

John O Osborne; Ian B Stewart; David N Borg; Kenneth W Beagley; Robert L Buhmann; Geoffrey M Minett

doi:10.1007/s00421-021-04744-y

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Short-term heat acclimation preserves knee extensor torque but does not improve 20 km self-paced cycling performance in the heat

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Short-term heat acclimation preserves knee extensor torque but does not improve 20 km self-paced cycling performance in the heat

John O Osborne, Ian B Stewart, David N Borg, Kenneth W Beagley, Robert L Buhmann and Geoffrey M Minett

European Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol.121(10), pp.2761-2772

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04744-y

PMCID: PMC8416835

PMID: 34148124

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Abstract

Athletic performance

Muscle fatigue

Thermotolerance

Heat stress

Hyperthermia

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of 5 days of heat acclimation training on neuromuscular function, intestinal damage, and 20 km cycling (20TT) performance in the heat. Methods: Eight recreationally trained males completed two 5-day training blocks (cycling 60 min day−1 at 50% peak power output) in a counter-balanced, cross-over design, with a 20TT completed before and after each block. Training was conducted in hot (HA: 34.9 ± 0.7 °C, 53 ± 4% relative humidity) or temperate (CON: 22.2 ± 2.6 °C, 65 ± 8% relative humidity) environment. All 20TTs were completed in the heat (35.1 ± 0.5 °C, 51 ± 4% relative humidity). Neuromuscular assessment of knee extensors (5 × 5 s maximum voluntary contraction; MVC) was completed before and after each 20TT and on the first and last days of each training block. Results: MVC torque was statistically higher after 5 days of HA training compared to CON (mean difference = 14 N m [95% confidence interval; 6, 23]; p < 0.001; d = 0.77). However, 20TT performance after 5 days of HA training was not statistically different to CON, with a between-conditions mean difference in the completion time of 68 s [95% confidence interval; − 9, 145] (p = 0.076; d = 0.35). Conclusion: Short-term heat acclimation training may increase knee extensor strength without changes in central fatigue or intestinal damage. Nevertheless, it is insufficient to improve 20 km self-paced cycling performance in the heat compared to workload-matched training in a temperate environment. These data suggest that recreationally trained athletes gain no worthwhile performance advantage from short-term heat-training before competing in the heat.

Details

Title: Short-term heat acclimation preserves knee extensor torque but does not improve 20 km self-paced cycling performance in the heat
Authors: John O Osborne (Corresponding Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Ian B Stewart (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
David N Borg (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Kenneth W Beagley (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Robert L Buhmann (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Geoffrey M Minett (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Publication details: European Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol.121(10), pp.2761-2772
Publisher: Springer
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1007/s00421-021-04744-y
ISSN: 1439-6327
PMID: 34148124; PMC8416835
Copyright note: © The Author(s) 2021. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
Organisation Unit: School of Health; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99548407502621
Output Type: Journal article

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