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Heat Acclimation Following Heat Acclimatization Elicits Additional Physiological Improvements in Male Endurance Athletes.

PMID 33924138 (2021): heat acclimation, heat acclimatization — Performance in heat (study note for endurance athletes).

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

Study note • PMID 33924138

Heat Acclimation Following Heat Acclimatization Elicits Additional Physiological Improvements in Male Endurance Athletes.

International journal of environmental research and public health2021 • DOI 10.3390/ijerph18084366
Evidence C60/100
Action 2: Consider

Worth trying if it fits your goal and context.

ELI5

In plain language

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of heat acclimatization (HAz) followed by heat acclimation (HA) on physiological adaptations. (controlled study; n=21 runners).

Results section: no clear change in Performance in heat 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: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of heat acclimatization (HAz) followed by heat acclimation (HA) on physiological adaptations.
  • Results section: no clear change in Performance in heat under the tested conditions.
  • Population: n=21 runners.
  • Protocol cues (full paper): 9 days • 2 days • 1 day • 1 days • 60 min • 62°C.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: heat acclimation, heat acclimatization.
  • Dose/time/duration cues found in the full paper: 9 days • 2 days • 1 day • 1 days • 60 min • 62°C • 63°C • 03°C.
  • Outcomes: Performance in heat.
  • 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=21 runners) working on heat.
  • Athletes who can measure Performance in heat 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: n=21 runners.
  • Outcomes measured: Performance in heat.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 3 months • 60 min.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 33924138 (2021) — International journal of environmental research and public health.

Full paper

What the full paper adds

  • Participants (paper): n=21 runners.
  • More protocol detail (paper): 9 days • 2 days • 1 day • 1 days • 60 min • 62°C • 63°C • 03°C.
  • Results section: no clear change in Performance in heat under the tested conditions.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

HR was lower post-HAz+HA than post-HAz (p = 0.013).

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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