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Heat suit training increases hemoglobin mass in elite cross‐country skiers
Author(s) -
Rønnestad Bent R.,
Lid Ole Martin,
Hansen Joar,
Hamarsland Håvard,
Mølmen Knut Sindre,
Nygaard Håvard,
Ellefsen Stian,
Hammarström Daniel,
Lundby Carsten
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.14156
Subject(s) - vo2 max , endurance training , hemoglobin , running economy , medicine , zoology , physical therapy , time trial , cross country , blood lactate , heart rate , blood pressure , biology , international economics , economics
Purpose The primary purpose was to test the effect of heat suit training on hemoglobin mass (Hb mass ) in elite cross‐country (XC) skiers. Methods Twenty‐five male XC‐skiers were divided into a group that added 5 × 50 min weekly heat suit training sessions to their regular training (HEAT; n = 13, 23 ± 5 years, 73.9 ± 5.2 kg, 180 ± 6 cm, 76.8 ± 4.6 ml·min −1 ·kg −1 ) or to a control group matched for training volume and intensity distribution (CON; n = 12, 23 ± 4 years, 78.4 ± 5.8 kg, 184 ± 4 cm, 75.2 ± 3.4 ml·min −1 ·kg −1 ) during the five‐week intervention period. Hb mass , endurance performance and factors determining endurance performance were assessed before and after the intervention. Results HEAT led to 30 g greater Hb mass (95% CI: [8.5, 51.7], p = 0.009) and 157 ml greater red blood cell volume ([29, 285], p = 0.018) post‐intervention, compared to CON when adjusted for baseline values. In contrast, no group differences were observed for changes in work economy, running velocity, and fractional utilization of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O 2max ) at 4 mmol·L −1 blood lactate, V̇O 2max or 15‐min running distance performance trial during the intervention. Conclusion HEAT induced a larger increase in Hb mass and red blood cell volume after five weeks with five weekly heat suit training sessions than CON, but with no detectable group differences on physiological determinants of endurance performance or actual endurance performance in elite CX skiers.