Elevated core temperature in addition to mental fatigue impairs aerobic exercise capacity in highly trained athletes in the heat

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of elevated core temperature by exposure to heat stress vs. heat exposure without elevated core temperature (mean skin temperature only) in addition to mental fatigue on aerobic exercise capacity in the heat. Seven highly trained athletes completed two experimental conditions: elevation in core and skin temperatures (hyperthermia: HYP), and skin temperatures (SKIN). Participants performed the AX-Continuous Performance Task and Stroop Task to induce mental fatigue during a warm water immersion at 40 °C (HYP) and a passive seated heat exposure in a climatic chamber at 35 °C and 60% relative humidity (SKIN) for 45 min before exercise. Thereafter, participants performed running trial at 80% maximal oxygen uptake until voluntary exhaustion in the same chamber as the SKIN. Exercise time to exhaustion was significantly shorter in the HYP trial (538 ± 200 s) than in the SKIN trial (757 ± 324 s). Rectal temperature at the end of tasks in the HYP trial increased by 0.86 ± 0.26℃ and was significantly higher (37.69 ± 0.18℃) than that of the SKIN trial (36.96 ± 0.13℃), albeit no significant differences in mean skin temperature. Self-reported mental fatigue using visual analog scale was significantly higher after tasks in both trials, but no significant difference between trials was found. Throughout the trial, salivary cortisol concentration and perceptual responses were not affected by hyperthermia. This study demonstrated that a combination of high core temperature and mean skin temperature, and mental fatigue limit aerobic exercise capacity in highly trained athletes in hot environments compared with heat exposure without an elevation of core temperature.