The effect of post-exercise heat exposure (passive heat acclimation) on endurance exercise performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
“Active” heat acclimation (exercise-in-the-heat) can improve exercise performance but the efficacy of “passive” heat acclimation using post-exercise heat exposure is unclear. Therefore, we synthesised a systematic review and meta-analysis to answer whether post-exercise heat exposure improves exercise performance. Five databases were searched to identify studies including: (i) healthy adults; (ii) an exercise training intervention with post-exercise heat exposure via sauna or hot water immersion (treatment group); (iii) a non-heat exposure control group completing the same training; and (iv) outcomes measuring exercise performance in the heat (primary outcome), or performance in thermoneutral conditions, V̇O2max, lactate threshold, economy, heart rate, RPE, core temperature, sweat rate, and thermal sensations. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. To determine the effect of post-exercise heat exposure, between-group ratio of means or standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated for each outcome and weighted by the inverse of their variance to calculate an overall effect estimate (ratio of mean or Hedges’g) in a random effects meta-analysis, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and prediction intervals (PI). Quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. Ten studies (199 participants: 156 male, 43 female, age 20–32 years) were included. The effect of post-exercise…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 199 participants or records.
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