In this master’s thesis, we investigated the effect of a 10-day heat acclimatization protocol on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and maximal aerobic power (Wmax) in physically active female participants under normoxic, hot, and hypoxic conditions. The study included 28 healthy, recreationally active women aged 18–35 years, who were randomly assigned to either an experimental (heat acclimatization) or a control group. Before and after the intervention, all participants performed graded exercise tests to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer in all three environmental conditions (Normoxia (Air temperature (T) = 20 °C, Relative humidity (Rh) = 50 % Fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) = 0,209), Heat (T = 35 °C, Rh = 50 %, FiO2 = 0,209) and Hypoxia (T = 20 °C, Rh = 50 %, FiO2 = 0,130). The experimental group trained for 10 consecutive days in a hot environment (T=35°C, Rh = 50%), while the control group trained in thermoneutral conditions (T = 20 °C, Rh = 50 %); both groups exercised at the same relative training load (40 % of Wmax).
The results showed that VO2max did not change significantly after the 10-day intervention in any of the three environmental conditions in either the experimental or the control group. In contrast, Wmax increased significantly in normoxia and heat in both groups, and in hypoxia only in the control group, with no statistically significant group differences in the magnitude of change. These findings indicate that the employed heat acclimation protocol (10 consecutive days, 60 minutes at 40 % Wmax) does not provide additional exercise capacity benefits relative to matched thermoneutral training in healthy women.
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