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Sprint performance under heat stress: A review
O Girard1, F Brocherie, D J Bishop
1ISSUL, Institute of Sport Sciences, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Summary
Transient heat exposure can enhance single-sprint performance in athletes due to improved muscle contractility. However, hot conditions significantly impair repeated-sprint ability and intermittent-sprint performance, especially with hyperthermia.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Physiology
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Athletes in many sports perform maximal sprints in hot conditions (>30°C).
- Transient heat exposure can acutely enhance muscle contractility and short-term power output.
- Heat stress increases physiological strain, potentially impairing muscle activation and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of heat on different types of sprint exercise performance.
- To understand the physiological mechanisms underlying performance changes in hot environments.
- To review strategies for mitigating heat's negative impact on athletic performance.
Main Methods:
- The study reviews existing literature on exercise in hot conditions.
- It differentiates between single-sprint, repeated-sprint, and intermittent-sprint exercise.
- Physiological responses like muscle temperature, core temperature, and cardiovascular load are considered.
Main Results:
- Single-sprint performance may be enhanced by transient heat exposure.
- Repeated-sprint exercise performance is significantly reduced in hot conditions compared to cool conditions.
- Intermittent-sprint performance decrements in heat are primarily linked to marked hyperthermia (>39°C).
Conclusions:
- Heat's effect on sprint performance is dependent on the exercise intensity and recovery duration.
- Strategies like heat acclimatization, precooling, and hydration are crucial for athletes competing in hot environments.
- Understanding these nuances is vital for optimizing athletic training and competition in heat.
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