Effect of two-weeks endurance training wearing additional clothing in a temperate outdoor environment on performance and physiology in the heat

This investigation assessed performance, physiological and perceptual responses to wearing additional clothing during endurance training for two-weeks in temperate environments, to determine if this approach could be used as a practical, alternative, heat acclimation strategy for athletes. Fifteen trained male triathletes assigned to performance-matched groups completed a two-week unsupervised endurance cycling and running program in either (i) shorts and a short sleeve top (CON; n = 8) or (ii) additional clothing of full-length pants, a “winter” jacket and gloves made from nylon, polyurethane and polyester (AC; n = 7). Participants completed three separate (i.e. familiarisation, pre-program and post-program), identical, pre-loaded cycling time-trials (20 min at 180 W followed by a 40 min self-paced time trial) in 32.5 ± 0.1°C and 55 ± 6% RH. Core and skin temperatures, heart rate, sweat rate, perceived exertion, thermal sensation and thermal comfort were measured across the pre-loaded time trials, and heart rate and thermal sensation were measured across the training program. All of the participants recorded in their diaries that they completed all of the programmed training sessions in the required attire. Mean thermal sensation was most likely hotter in AC (5.5 ± 0.4 AU) compared to CON (4.4 ± 0.4 AU; ES = 1.61, ± 0.68) during the training sessions. However, follow up tests revealed no physiological or perceptual signs of heat acclimation, and the change in time-trial performance from pre-post between groups was trivial (CON: −3.5 ± 12.0 W, AC: −4.1 ± 9.6 W; difference = -0.7%, ± 5.4%). Training in additional clothing for two-weeks in a temperate environment was not an effective heat acclimation strategy for triathletes

The Boston Marathon versus the World Marathon Majors

<div><p>The Boston Marathon course is deemed ineligible for world record status due to its unidirectional nature and excessive negative elevation change, yet performance times across the World Marathon Majors (WMM) races have not been compared.</p><p>Purpose</p><p>To compare finish times across WMM races for Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York Marathons.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Race times of the top 10 male and 10 female finishers were analyzed from 2005 to 2014 using the high-performance mixed linear model procedure in the Statistical Analysis System. Venue-to-venue comparisons, as well as comparisons between Boston and other WMM races, with and without factors of temperature, humidity and altitude change were examined.</p><p>Results</p><p>Performance from 2005 to 2014 in the WMM races was found to improve at a rate of ~1% each 7 years. Despite its higher variability, comparison between Boston’s estimated mean finishing time and all other venues revealed moderate positive differences, indicating the Boston event to be typically slower than other venues.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Across the 10-year study period, performance times improved ~1% each 7 years for both genders for the WMM, with the Boston Marathon being slower on average than other WMM venues. Weather rather than course metrics appeared to impact performance times most.</p></div

Course elevation profiles for Boston (BOS), London (LON), Berlin (BER), Chicago (CHI) and New York (NYC) Marathons.

<p>Course elevation profiles for Boston (BOS), London (LON), Berlin (BER), Chicago (CHI) and New York (NYC) Marathons.</p

Estimated mean race times for the five major marathon venues, including Berlin (BER), Boston (BOS), Chicago (CHI), London (LON), and New York City (NYC), for male and female participants.

<p>Upper and lower Confidence Limits (CL) depicted as dashed lines.</p

Race-to-race variability for World Marathon Majors compared to the Boston Marathon event, with and without including of temperature, humidity and altitude gain and loss factors.

<p>Race-to-race variability for World Marathon Majors compared to the Boston Marathon event, with and without including of temperature, humidity and altitude gain and loss factors.</p

Fastest World Marathon WMM locations: World records and fastest times.

<p>Fastest World Marathon WMM locations: World records and fastest times.</p