Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Deception of ambient and body core temperature improves self paced cycling in hot, humid conditions

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We used incorrect visual feedback of ambient and core temperature in the heat to test the hypothesis that deception would alleviate the decrement in cycling performance compared to a no deception trial. Seven males completed three 30 min cycling time trials in a randomised order on a Kingcycle ergometer. One time trial was in temperate, control conditions (CON: 21.8 ± 0.6°C; 43.3 ± 4.3%rh), the others in hot, humid conditions (HOT: 31.4 ± 0.3°C; 63.9 ± 4.5%rh). In one of the hot, humid conditions (31.6 ± 0.5°C; 65.4 ± 4.3%rh), participants were deceived (DEC) into thinking the ambient conditions were 26.0°C; 60.0%rh and their core temperature was 0.3°C lower than it really was. Compared to CON (16.63 ± 2.43 km) distance covered was lower in HOT (15.88 ± 2.75 km; P < 0.05), but DEC ameliorated this (16.74 ± 2.87 km; P < 0.05). Mean power output was greater in DEC (184.4 ± 60.4 W) than HOT (168.1 ± 54.1 W; P < 0.05) and no difference was observed between CON and DEC. Rectal temperature and iEMG of the vastus lateralis were not different, but RPE in the third minute was lower in DEC than HOT (P < 0.05). Deception improved performance in the heat by creating a lower RPE, evidence of a subtle mismatch between the subconscious expectation and conscious perception of the task demands.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbiss CR, Laursen PB (2009) Commentaries on Viewpoint: current evidence does not support an anticipatory regulation of exercise intensity mediated by rate of body heat storage. Do changes in heat storage mediate and anticipatory regulation of exercise intensity? J Appl Physiol 107:632–633

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Albertus Y, Tucker R, St. Clair Gibson A, Lambert EV, Hampson DB, Noakes TD (2005) Effect of distance feedback on pacing strategy and perceived exertion during cycling. Med Sci Sport Exerc 37(3):461–468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ansley LP, Robson A, St. Clair Gibson A, Noakes TD (2004) Anticipatory pacing strategies during supramaximal exercise lasting longer than 30 s. Med Sci Sport and Exerc 36:309–314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong LE, Maresh CM, Castellani JW, Bergeron MF, Kenefick RW, LaGasse KE, Riebe D (1994) Urinary indices of hydration status. Int J Sport Nutr 4:265–279

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arngrimsson SA, Petit DS, Stueck MG, Jorgensen DK, Cureton KJ (2004) Cooling vest worn during active warm-up improves 5-km run performance in the heat. J Appl Physiol 96:1867–1874

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baden DA, McLean TL, Tucker R, Noakes TD, St. Clair Gibson A (2005) Effect of anticipation during unknown or unexpected exercise duration on rating of perceived exertion, affect, and physiological function. Br J Sports Med 39(10):742–746

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borg GAV (1970) Perceived exertion as an indicator of somatic stress. Scand J Rehab Med 2:92–98

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brotherhood JR (2008) Heat stress and strain in exercise and sport. J Sci Med Sport 11:6–19

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Castle PC, Macdonald AL, Philp A, Webborn A, Watt PW, Maxwell NS (2006) Precooling leg muscle improves intermittent sprint exercise performance in hot, humid conditions. J Appl Physiol 100:1377–1384

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cheung S (2009) Commentaries on Viewpoint: Current evidence does not support an anticipatory regulation of exercise intensity mediated by rate of body heat storage. The mind-body connection remains key to understanding fatigue. J Appl Physiol 107:633–634

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duffield R, Green R, Castle PC, Maxwell NS (2010) Precooling can prevent the reduction of self paced exercise intensity in the heat. Med Sci Sport Exerc 42(3):577–584

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durnin JVGA, Womersley J (1974) Body fat assessed from total body density and its estimation from skinfold thickness: measurements on 481 men and women aged from 16 to 72 years. Br J Nutr 32:77–97

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Faulkner J, Parfitt G, Eston R (2008) The rating of perceived exertion during competitive running scales with time. Psychophysiology 45(6):977–985

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Giesbrecht GG, Bristow GK (1992) A second postcooling afterdrop: more evidence for a convective mechanism. J Appl Physiol 73:1253–1258

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hampson DB, St. Clair Gibson A, Lambert MI, Dugas JP, Lambert EWV, Noakes TD (2004) Deception and perceived exertion during high intensity running bouts. Percept Motor Skills 98:1027–1038

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hettinga FJ, De Koning JJ, de Vrijer A, Wüst RC, Daanen HA, Foster C (2007) The effect of ambient temperature on gross-efficiency in cycling. Eur J Appl Physiol 101(4):465–471

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hickey MS, Costill DL, McConell GK, Widrick JJ, Tanaka H (1992) Day to day variation in time trial cycling performance. Int J Sports Med 13:467–470

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter AM, St. Clair Gibson A, Lambert M, Noakes TD (2002) Electromyographic (EMG) normalization method for cycle fatigue protocols. Med Sci Sports Exerc 34:857–861

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jay O, Kenny GP (2009) Current evidence does not support an anticipatory regulation of exercise intensity mediated by rate of body heat storage. J Appli Physiol 107:630–631

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kay D, Marino FE, Cannon J, St. Clair Gibson A, Lambert MI, Noakes TD (2001) Evidence for neuromuscular fatigue during high-intensity cycling in warm, humid conditions. Eur J Appl Physiol 84:115–121

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marcora SM (2007) Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem. J Physiol 578(1):371

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marcora SM (2009) Commentaries on Viewpoint: current evidence does not support an anticipatory regulation of exercise intensity mediated by rate of body heat storage. The rate of heat storage is not a sensed variable that influences exercise performance. J Appl Physiol 107:633

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marcora SM, Staiano W, Manning V (2009) Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans. J Appl Physiol 106:857–864

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marino FE, Mbambo Z, Koretekaas E, Wilson G, Lambert MI, Noakes TD, Dennis SC (2001) Influence of ambient temperature on plasma ammonia and lactate accumulation during prolonged submaximal and self-paced running. Eur J Appl Physiol 86:71–78

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marino FE, Lambert MIA, Noakes TD (2004) Superior performance of African runners in warm humid but not in cool environmental conditions. J Appl Physiol 96:124–130

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mauger AR, Jones AM, Williams CA (2009a) The effect of non-contingent and accurate performance feedback on pacing and time trial performance in 4 km track cycling. Br J Sports Med. bjsm.2009.062844. Published Online First: 25 October

  • Mauger AR, Jones AM, Williams CA (2009b) Influence of feedback and prior experience on pacing during a 4-km cycle time trial. Med Sci Sports Exerc 41(2):451–458

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mauger AR, Jones AM, Williams CA (2010) Influence of acetaminophen on performance during time trial cycling. Eur J App Physiol 108:98–104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morton RH (2009) Deception by manipulating the clock calibration influences cycle ergometer endurance time in males. J Sci Med Sport 12:332–337

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nybo L (2009) Commentaries on Viewpoint: current evidence does not support an anticipatory regulation of exercise intensity mediated by rate of body heat storage. J Appl Physiol 107:632

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paterson S, Marino FE (2004) Effect of deception of distance on prolonged cycling performance. Percept Motor Skill 98(3 Pt 1):1017–1026

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajeski WL, Kenney L (1987) Distracting attentional focus from fatigue: does task complexity make a difference? J Sport Psychol 9:66–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramanathan NL (1964) A new weighting system for mean surface temperature of the human body. J Appl Physiol 19:531–533

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sewell DA, McGregor RA (2008) Evaluation of a cycling pre-load time trial protocol in recreationally active humans. Eur J Appl Physiol 102(5):615–621

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • St. Clair Gibson A, Noakes TD (2004) Evidence for a complex system integration and dynamic neural regulation of skeletal muscle recruitment during exercise in humans. Br J Sports Med 38:797–806

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tatterson AJ, Hahn A, Martin DT, Febbraio MA (2000) Effects of heat stress on physiological responses and exercise performance in elite cyclists. J Sci Med Sport 3(2):186–193

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Toner MM, Drolet LL, Pandolf KB (1986) Perceptual and physiological responses during exercise in cool and cold water. Percept Motor Skills 62:211–220

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker R, Rauch L, Harley YXR, Noakes TD (2004) Impaired exercise performance in the heat is associated with an anticipatory reduction in skeletal muscle recruitment. Pflugers Arch 448:422–430

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker R, Marle T, Lambert EV, Noakes TD (2006) The rate of heat storage mediates an anticipatory reduction in exercise intensity during cycling at a fixed rating of perceived exertion. J Physiol 574:905–915

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Winget CM, DeRoshia CW, Hooley DC (1985) Circadian rhythms and athletic performance. Med Sci Sport Exerc 17(5):498–516

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the support of The University of Brighton and the assistance of David Thomas, Anne Attfield, Ian Lloyd, Ron Shepherd, Richard Slevin and James Woodland.

Conflict of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sport and Exercise Science, ISPAR, University of Bedfordshire, Polhill Avenue, Bedford, MK41 9EA, UK

    Paul C. Castle & Alexis R. Mauger

  2. Chelsea School Research Centre, University of Brighton, 30 Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7SP, UK

    Neil Maxwell, Alan Allchorn & Danny K. White

Authors
  1. Paul C. Castle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Neil Maxwell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alan Allchorn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Alexis R. Mauger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Danny K. White
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul C. Castle.

Additional information

Communicated by Narihiko Kondo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Castle, P.C., Maxwell, N., Allchorn, A. et al. Deception of ambient and body core temperature improves self paced cycling in hot, humid conditions. Eur J Appl Physiol 112, 377–385 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1988-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1988-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation