23. HEAT TRAINING IS BENEFICIAL EVEN FOR ELITE ATHLETES

Photo by shraga kopstein on Unsplash

In the previous post we saw a very interesting study by Ed Maunder and Colleagues of Auckland University of Technology suggesting that, in trained cyclists (VO2max: ~60), heat training boosts training adaptations and performance even when going back to pedal in a temperate environment (18 °C).

In that interesting study:

1. The physiological adaptations were evaluated using only marker of muscle oxidative capacity (maximal citrate synthase vastus lateralis activity, a mitochondrial enzyme).

2. Participants were trained (VO2max: ~60) but not professional athletes;

3. All the training sessions of the HEAT group were performed at high temperatures.

Regarding these points, it is interesting to know:

1. Does heat training boost training adaptations and performance through also haematological (blood) and not only muscular adaptations?

2. Does heat training benefit even professional cyclist? Sometimes these athletes are less responsive to a given stimulus as they are closer to their maximum athletic potential.

3. Does performing not all but only some training sessions at high temperature boost training adaptations and performance?

A study published in 2020 on Experimental Physiology by Professor Bent Rønnestad (Innland University of Applied Sciences, Lillehammer, Norway) and Colleagues tried to answer these questions.