Effects of Heat Stress on Physiological Responses in Cycling

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Effects of Heat Stress on Physiological Responses in Cycling The effect of heat on physiological responses on sporting performance is vital. If the athlete is not prepared to the warmer environment this could increase their chances of heat stress which could result in exhaustion or heat stroke. The main aim of the study is to investigate the effects of heat stress on physiological responses compared to thermoneutral conditions. It is hypothesized that physiological responses will be affected by the different temperatures. Ten healthy sport and exercise students (179 ± 6 cm, 80 ± 13 kg) 9 male and 1 female volunteered for the study and were familiar to the testing procedures. Participants undertook three tests V02max test and two 30 minute test at 50% V02max one in 31±1oC and 18±10C. The results showed changes in all recorded changes. Increases in the blood lactate in the heated conditions at 30 minutes 3.8 mmol.L compared to normal conditions were 3.1mmol.L. From the results it can be suggested that that for optimal performance in heated climates it will beneficial to acclimate to the conditions. Further research can be undertaken to understand the acclimation or pre cooling methods using the same participants. Introduction The effect of heat on physiological responses on sporting performance is vital. If the athlete is not prepared to the warmer environment his could increase their chances of heat stress which could result in exhaustion or heat stroke. The topic of heat stress has become quite popular with the World Championships being held in warmer climates such as the UCI Cycling World Championships in 2010 and also with the FIFA World Cup in 2022. It has been shown by Galloway and Maughan (1997) that time to exhaustion in hot environment is reduced compared to cooler environment. Already when exercising the muscles produce heat using running as

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