Taking the plunge: When is best for hot water immersion to complement exercise in heat and hypoxia. Issue 18 (17th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dennis, Myles C.; Goods, Paul S.R.; Binnie, Martyn J.; Girard, Olivier; Wallman, Karen E.; Dawson, Brian T.; Peeling, Peter
• Is Part Of: Journal of sports sciences. Volume 40:Issue 18(2022)
• Page Start: 2055
• Page End: 2061
• Publication Date: 2022-09-17
• Subjects: Altitude -- heat stress -- core temperature -- heat acclimation -- passive heating; Sports -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 612.044
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2022.2133390
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-0414

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This investigation assessed the psycho-physiological and performance effects of hot water immersion (HWI) implemented either before or after a repeated-sprint training in hypoxia (RSH) session conducted in the heat. Ten participants completed three RSH trials (3 × 10 × 5-s sprints), conducted at 40°C and simulated altitude of 3000 m. A 30-min monitoring period preceded and followed all exercise sessions. In PRE, the pre-exercise period was HWI, and the post-exercise period was seated rest in temperate conditions. This combination was reversed in POST. In CON, participants were seated in temperate conditions for both periods. Compared to CON, PRE elicited a reduction in power output during each repeated-sprint set (14.8–16.2%, all p < 0.001), and a significantly higher core temperature (Tc) during the pre-exercise period and throughout the exercise session (p < 0.001 and p = 0.025, respectively). In POST, power output and Tc until the end of exercise were similar to CON, with Tc higher at the conclusion of the post-exercise period (p < 0.001). Time across the entire protocol spent ≥38.5°C Tc was significantly longer in PRE (48.1 ± 22.5 min) than POST (31.0 ± 11.3 min, p = 0.05) and CON (15.8 ± 16.3 min, p < 0.001). Employing HWI following RSH conducted in the heat provides effective outcomes regarding physiological strain and cycling performance when compared to pre-exercise or no HWI.