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Study note

Short-Term Heat Acclimation and Precooling, Independently and Combined, Improve 5-km Time Trial Performance in the Heat.

PMID 28486332 (2018): heat acclimation — Performance in heat, Time-trial performance (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Jul 22, 2026

Read the study note

Study note • PMID 28486332

Short-Term Heat Acclimation and Precooling, Independently and Combined, Improve 5-km Time Trial Performance in the Heat.

Journal of strength and conditioning research2018 • DOI 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001979

How to use this page

This note summarizes one study record. Check the participants, methods, results, and limitations before applying it to training.

  • Design signal: controlled study.
  • Population relevance: athlete/trained context.
  • Consistency: single-study evidence.
  • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.

ELI5

In plain language

James, CA, Richardson, AJ, Watt, PW, Willmott, AGB, Gibson, OR, and Maxwell, NS. (controlled study; trained runners).

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: James, CA, Richardson, AJ, Watt, PW, Willmott, AGB, Gibson, OR, and Maxwell, NS.
  • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Performance in heat, Time-trial performance under the tested conditions.
  • Population: trained runners.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 5 days.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: heat acclimation (vs comparison group).
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 5 days.
  • 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 may help, and who should be cautious

Who it helps

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

Who should be cautious

  • 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 runners.
  • Comparator: comparison group.
  • Outcomes measured: Performance in heat, Time-trial performance.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 5 days.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 28486332 (2018) — Journal of strength and conditioning research.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

Statistical differences were only observed between HA and CON (p = 0.004, d = 0.68, 95% CI [-0.27 to 1.63]) however, similar effect sizes were observed for HA + PC vs.

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

Limits

Limitations and 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