Short-term endurance training in the cold with layered clothing mitigates perceptual strain during exercise in the heat.

PURPOSE: We examined whether short-term endurance training in the cold combined with layered clothing enhances cardiovascular, thermoregulatory, and performance adaptations.

METHODS

Sixteen healthy males completed five consecutive days of endurance cycling in the cold (10 °C, 50% relative humidity [rH]) while wearing either thermal layered clothing (WEAR) or light clothing (CON). Before and after training, participants performed a graded exercise test, a time-to-exhaustion test, and a heat stress test (30 min at 35 °C, 50% rH).

RESULTS

During training, heart rate, skin temperature, and sweat rate were higher in WEAR than CON (P < 0.05). Maximal power output increased similarly in both groups (WEAR: + 7.2 ± 9.5%; CON: + 8.4 ± 7.1%, P < 0.05), while maximal oxygen uptake improved only in WEAR (52.4 ± 7.3 to 55.2 ± 7.1 mL/kg/min, P < 0.05). During the heat stress test, ratings of perceived exertion and thermal sensation decreased after training in WEAR only (P < 0.05), with no changes in sweat rate, skin temperature, or rectal temperature in either group.

CONCLUSION

Short-term endurance training in the cold combined with layered clothing attenuated perceptual strain during subsequent exercise in the heat, implying a practical alternative approach to traditional heat acclimation strategies.