The repeatability of a cycling exercise-heat stress test in a male population

Introduction

There is considerable inter-individual variability in the physiological responses to environmental stressors and so to accurately assess and monitor changes in an individual's ability to cope with exercise-heat stress, a reliable protocol is required. The aim of this study was to examine the repeatability of a 90-min steady-state heat exercise bout with physiological and subjective variables, and performance during an incremental test to exhaustion post 90-min steady-state exercise.

Method

Sixteen mixed ability males (Age: 39 ± 15yrs; Height: 176.5 ± 4.8 cm; BM: 79.7 ± 10.3 kg; $\dot{V}$O_2peak: 46.2 ± 8.6 ml/kg/min; PPO: 309 ± 39W) who trained at least three times a week undertook two 90-min steady-state – followed by an incremental protocol to exhaustion – cycling heat stress tests (HSTs) in a hot-humid environment (35 °C, 60%RH). Heart rate (HR), rectal ($\bar{T}$ r_e) and skin temperature ($\bar{T}$_sk), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal sensation (TS), and thermal comfort (TC) were measured throughout. Data was analysed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), technical error of measurement (TEM), Bland-Altman plots, t-tests, and Cohen's d to indicate magnitude of change.

Results

Physiological variables indicated good repeatability evident through moderate to strong ICC ratings, low magnitudes of change (d), lower mean biases compared to their respective calculated TEMs, and statistical non-significance, except HR90, ₸_sk90, and ₸_sk. Hydration status showed good repeatability except for urine osmolality (osm_u90) and resting urine colour (col_u). Perceptual variables showed encouraging repeatability apart from resting TS and mean TS. Performance data showed good repeatability overall, however 11 participants progressed to the incremental test to exhaustion in the second visit compared to 7 in the first.

Conclusion

Current data demonstrated favourable physiological, perceptual, and performance repeatability during repeated cycling HSTs in hot-humid conditions. However, given more participants progressed to the incremental trial to exhaustion protocol in the second visit, at least one familiarisation trial may improve the reliability of exercise capacity assessment.