24. IS WEARING ADDITIONAL CLOTHING DURING INDOOR WORKOUTS AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY TO DO HEAT TRAINING?

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

In the previous two posts, we saw two interesting studies showing that, both in trained and professional cyclists, heat training enhances physiological adaptations and performance even when going back to pedal in a temperate environment. These positive adaptations occur both at muscular (an increase in mitochondria’s oxidative capacity) and blood (an increase in hemoglobin mass) level.

In these studies, heat training sessions were performed using lab environmental chambers, which are rooms where temperature and humidity can be set manually. However, using an environmental chamber is not a practical solution for all cyclists, as it is very expensive and available only in few labs all around the world. So, when the outside temperature is not that high, we need a practical alternative solution to perform heat training.

Could the heat training positive adaptations be replicated wearing additional clothes during indoor training sessions?

A study published in 2022 by Prof. Bent Rønnestad and Colleagues (Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Lillehammer, Norway) on Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise tried to answer this questions. (1)