Active Heat Acclimation Does Not Alter Muscle-Tendon Unit Properties

Heat acclimation (HA) is recommended before competing in hot and humid conditions. HA has also been recently suggested to increase muscle strength, but its effects on human's muscle and tendon mechanical properties are not yet fully understood. This study investigated the effect of active HA on gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle-tendon properties.

Thirty recreationally active participants performed 13 low-intensity cycling sessions, distributed over a 17-d period in hot (HA = ~38°C, ~58% relative humidity; n = 15) or in temperate environment (CON = ~23°C, ~35% relative humidity; n = 15). Mechanical data and high-frame rate ultrasound images were collected during electrically evoked and voluntary contractions pre- and postintervention. Shear modulus was measured at rest in GM, and vertical jump performance was assessed.

Core temperature decreased from the first to the last session in HA (-0.4°C ± 0.3°C; P = 0.015), while sweat rate increased (+0.4 ± 0.3 L·h -1 ; P = 0.010), suggesting effective HA, whereas no changes were observed in CON (both P ≥ 0.877). Heart rate was higher in HA versus CON and decreased throughout intervention in groups (both P ≤ 0.008), without an interaction effect ( P = 0.733). Muscle-tendon unit properties (i.e., maximal and explosive isometric torque production, contractile properties, voluntary activation, joint and fascicular force-velocity relationship, passive muscle, and active tendon stiffness) and vertical jump performance did not show training ( P ≥ 0.067) or group-training interaction ( P ≥ 0.232) effects.

Effective active HA does not alter muscle-tendon properties. Preparing hot and humid conditions with active HA can be envisaged in all sporting disciplines without the risk of impairing muscle performance.