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The effects of single versus twice daily short term heat acclimation on heat strain and 3000m running performance in hot, humid conditions.

PMID 26857978 (2016): heat acclimation, heat stress — Performance in heat, Time-trial performance (study note for endurance athletes).

Last updated/Feb 23, 2026, 10:34 PM

Study note • PMID 26857978

The effects of single versus twice daily short term heat acclimation on heat strain and 3000m running performance in hot, humid conditions.

Journal of thermal biology2016 • DOI 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2016.01.001
Evidence C60/100
Action 2: Consider

Worth trying if it fits your goal and context.

ELI5

In plain language

Endurance performances are impaired under conditions of elevated heat stress. (controlled study; trained participants).

The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Performance in heat, Time-trial performance under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: Endurance performances are impaired under conditions of elevated heat stress.
  • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Performance in heat, Time-trial performance under the tested conditions.
  • Population: trained participants.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 6 days • 4 days • 45min • 3000m • 5km • 2km.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: heat acclimation, heat stress (vs comparison group).
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 6 days • 4 days • 45min • 3000m • 5km • 2km • 3km.
  • Outcomes: Performance in heat, Time-trial performance.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it helps, and who should skip it

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (trained participants) working on heat.
  • Athletes who can measure Performance in heat, Time-trial performance with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should skip

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: controlled study.
  • Population: trained participants.
  • Comparator: comparison group.
  • Outcomes measured: Performance in heat, Time-trial performance.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 6 days • 4 days • 45min • 3000m • 5km • 2km • 3km.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 26857978 (2016) — Journal of thermal biology.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

This study investigated the efficacy of twice daily heat acclimation (TDHA) compared to single session per day heat acclimation (SDHA) and normothermic training, at inducing heat acclimation phenotype and its impact upon running performance in hot, humid conditions.

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations & bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

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Sources