Estrés térmico y fuerza muscular

Resumo

The effect of high environmental temperatures has been widely investigated among exercise physiology and training fields. However, its effects upon human force production are still unknown. So, the aim of this Doctoral Thesis is to evaluate both acute and acclimating effects to extreme environmental heat (100±3ºC) upon different maximal strength manifestation: isometric strength, resistance strength and explosive strength. 130 young males were recruited for four different experimental trials. In the first one, the acute and chronic effects of hyperthermia upon isometric strength were evaluated. In the second one, the chronic response upon isometric and resistance conditions was tested. In the third one, both acute and chronic responses upon explosive strength were analyzed and, finally, in the last trial the acute effect of heat upon resistance strength was analyzed. Regarding the acute response, it was observed a highly positive effect upon resistance strength (p<0,01; R=0,886) and explosive strength (p<0,05; R=0,63). In the case of acclimation effects, an enhancer response to both isometric strength training (p<0,05; R=0,9) as well as to resistance training (p<0,05; R=0,92) was found out. Considering the obtained results, the use of extreme heat may be considered as an interesting and promising tool to enhance several effects of strength training. However, in order to create a solid evidence, further research is required in this field.