Heat stress does not exacerbate tennis-induced alterations in physical performance

• Published in: British journal of sports medicine 2014-04, Vol.48 (Suppl 1), p.i39-i44
• Main Authors: Girard, Olivier, Christian, Ryan J, Racinais, Sébastien, Périard, Julien D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ability tests; Athletic Performance - physiology; Bioenergetics; Cold Temperature; Fatigue - physiopathology; Fever; Heat; Heat Stress Disorders - physiopathology; Hot Temperature; Human performance; Humans; Hydration; Kinetics; Male; Movement; Muscle Strength - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Myalgia - etiology; Myalgia - physiopathology; Original; Running - physiology; Skin; Stress response; Tennis; Tennis - physiology; Time Factors; Tournaments & championships; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0306-3674; 1473-0480
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2013-093165

Objectives To assess the time course of changes in physical performance in response to match-play tennis under heat stress. Methods Two matches consisting of 20 min of effective playing time (2×10 min segments) were played in COOL (∼102 min; ∼22°C and 70% relative humidity (RH)) and HOT (∼119 min; ∼36°C and 35% RH) environments. Repeated-sprint ability (3×15 m, 15 s rest), 15 m sprint time with a direction change (180°), vertical jump height (squat and countermovement jumps) and leg stiffness (multirebound jumps) were assessed in 12 competitive male players prematch, midmatch and postmatch, and 24 and 48 h after match completion. Results During the repeated-sprint ability test, initial (+2.3% and +3.1%) and cumulated sprint (+1.5% and +2.8%) times increased from prematch to midmatch and postmatch, respectively (p