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

European Journal of Applied Physiology volume 112, pages 377–385 (2012)Cite this article

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.

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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.

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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

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  1. Paul C. Castle
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  2. Neil Maxwell
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  3. Alan Allchorn
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  4. Alexis R. Mauger
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  5. Danny K. White
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul C. Castle.

Additional information

Communicated by Narihiko Kondo.

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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

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

Keywords

  • Electromyography
  • Hyperthermia
  • Time trial
  • Central governor
  • Non-contingent feedback