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Differing Physiological Adaptations Induced by Dry and Humid Short-Term Heat Acclimation.

PMID 31094262 (2020): 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 31094262

Differing Physiological Adaptations Induced by Dry and Humid Short-Term Heat Acclimation.

International journal of sports physiology and performance2020 • DOI 10.1123/ijspp.2018-0707
Evidence C67/100
Action 2: Consider

Worth trying if it fits your goal and context.

ELI5

In plain language

To investigate the effect of a 5-day short-term heat acclimation (STHA) protocol in dry (43 degrees C and 20% relative humidity) or humid (32 degrees C and 80% relative… (randomized trial; n=11 cyclists).

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: To investigate the effect of a 5-day short-term heat acclimation (STHA) protocol in dry (43 degrees C and 20% relative humidity) or humid (32 degrees C and 80% relative…
  • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Performance in heat, Time-trial performance under the tested conditions.
  • Population: n=11 cyclists.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 30 days • 4 days • 480 min.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: heat acclimation, heat stress (vs comparison group).
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 30 days • 4 days • 480 min.
  • 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 (n=11 cyclists) 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: randomized trial.
  • Population: n=11 cyclists.
  • Comparator: comparison group.
  • Outcomes measured: Performance in heat, Time-trial performance.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 30 days • 4 days • 480 min.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 31094262 (2020) — International journal of sports physiology and performance.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

Following dry STHA, gross mechanical efficiency was likely reduced (between-condition effect size dry vs humid -0.59; 90% confidence interval, -1.05 to -0.15), oxygen uptake was likely increased for a given workload (0.64 [0.14 to 1.07]), and energy expenditure likely increased (0.59 [0.17 to 1.03]).

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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