The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of local (LIPC) and remote (RIPC) ischemic preconditioning on sprint interval exercise (SIE) performance. Fifteen male collegiate basketball players underwent a LIPC, RIPC, sham (SHAM), or control (CON) trial before conducting six sets of a 30-s Wingate-based SIE test. The oxygen uptake and heart rate were continuously measured during SIE test. The total work in the LIPC (+2.2%) and RIPC (+2.5%) conditions was significantly higher than that in the CON condition (p < 0.05). The mean power output (MPO) at the third and fourth sprint in the LIPC (+4.5%) and RIPC (+4.9%) conditions was significantly higher than that in the CON condition (p < 0.05). The percentage decrement score for MPO in the LIPC and RIPC condition was significantly lower than that in the CON condition (p < 0.05). No significant interaction effects were found in pH and blood lactate concentrations. There were no significant differences in the accumulated exercise time at ≥80%, 90%, and 100% of maximal oxygen uptake during SIE. Overall, both LIPC and RIPC could improve metabolic efficiency and performance during SIE in athletes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of heat on the validity of end-test power (EP) derived from a 3-min all-out test (3MT), which is considered as an alternative method for determining the conventional critical power. Twelve male cyclists were required to perform incremental exercise tests (IET) and 3MTs in both high temperature (HT; 35 °C) and thermoneutral temperature (NT; 22 °C) environments. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max), and first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT₁ and VT₂, respectively) against the power output (wVO_2max, wVT₁, and wVT₂) were measured during IETs. EP was recorded during the 3MTs. A significant correlation was observed between wVT₂ and EP under NT (r = 0.674, p < 0.05) and under HT (r = 0.672, p < 0.05). However, wVO_2max, wVT₁, wVT₂, and EP were significantly higher in NT than in HT (p < 0.05). In conclusion, although the physiological stress induced by HT might impair exercise performance, the EP derived from 3MT can validly estimate wVT₂ under HT conditions.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of high ambient temperature and varying humidity levels on critical power (CP) and physiological variables in cyclists. Twelve male cyclists (age 36 ± 8 years, body height 172 ± 4 cm, body mass 72 ± 10 kg) performed incremental exercise tests (IET) and 3-min all-out tests (3MT) under three environmental conditions: high temperature with high relative humidity (Ht-wet), high temperature with low relative humidity (Ht-dry), and neutral temperature with low relative humidity (Nt-dry). Physiological responses, including maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and ventilatory thresholds (VT1, VT2) were assessed relative to power output (wVO2max, wVT1, wVT2). End power (EP), anaerobic work capacity (WEP), and time to exhaustion were also measured. Results showed that VO2max and wVO2max did not differ among conditions, whereas VT2 and wVT1 were highest under the Nt-dry, intermediate under the Ht-dry, and lowest under the Ht-wet condition (p < 0.05). For VT1 and wVT2, values under the Ht-wet condition were significantly lower than under Nt-dry and Ht-dry conditions (p < 0.05). During the 3MT, EP, peak power, and average power were significantly higher under the Nt-dry than under Ht-dry and Ht-wet conditions (p < 0.05). In conclusion, high temperature reduced 3MT performance compared with the neutral condition, with no additional decline between Ht-wet and Ht-dry conditions. In contrast, VT and wVT were most reduced under the Ht-wet condition, indicating greater impairment of submaximal physiological responses under hot-humid conditions. These results suggest that humidity mainly affects threshold-related outcomes rather than 3MT performance. Environmental heat should therefore be considered when applying 3MT-derived variables for training prescription.