Heat Training for Sporting Performance

CORE allows you to monitor and record your core body temperature and the logical next question is, "how can these metrics be used?". This page is a resource for athletes and coaches which covers the training principles and includes guidance to help you get the most out of core body temperature metrics.  

This will also be a resource that we plan to update continuously and the best way to stay informed is to subscribe to our newsletter for sports performance.  

Page Content:

  1. Sports Performance and Heat
  2. Heat Ramp Test
  3. Heat Block Training
  4. Heat Training to Maintain Performance
  5. Hot Baths and Saunas
  6. The Science of Heat Training
  7. Heat Training Dangers
  8. Feedback and Updates
  9. Resources and Studies

Safety Warning: The dangers of heat-stress are well documented and these are applicable to heat training. Before starting any heat training activity, please seek consult with your doctor and seek professional guidance from an qualified and experienced coach.

Sports Performance and Heat

Heat Training is a broad term to describe heat related athletic training and usually includes an initial Heat Block Training and subsequent Heat Training Workouts. Heat training is usually understood as being integrated into a complete training program (complementing interval, low intensity, high intensity, etc.).

Heat Training is aimed at conditioning the body to become more efficient in cooling and increase the power output when the body heats.

Heat Training can be focussed on Heat Acclimation (Heat Adaption) which aims to improve athletic performance in hotter environments. It can also be undertaken with the aim of improving performance in mild and cool weather (and there are continuing debates among sports scientists regarding this).

Here are further details in our Training Guide for Heat Training.

Heat Block Training is an intense period of (usually) two to four weeks to begin athletic Heat Training with a primary focus of stressing and conditioning the body (safely) by training in an elevated core body temperature zone. Heat Block Training is usually the start of the Heat Training program and when this is completed, athletes need to keep this 'topped up' with two to four Heat Training Workouts each week so that they don't loose the physiological benefits.

Heat Acclimation / Adaption is Heat Training for the purpose of helping an athlete adapt / acclimatise to warm or hot weather competition. For example, European athletes from cool climates who are competing in the Kona Ironman in Hawaii or the Tour Down Under in Australia need to prepare their body to maintain the expected performance levels in the hotter and humid environments.  

Heat Training Workout is a single training session or activity which is part of the athletic training plan. Typically Heat Training Workouts are low intensity workouts and aim to maintain a steady core body temperature and heart rate while the power output will naturally decrease over time.

Heat Training Zone is the core body temperature range which is optimal for Heat Training Workouts. If an athlete trains too low, they are not able to effectively gain the physiological benefits (described in more detail in the Science of Heat Training). Training too hot, about the Heat Training Zone can be counter-productive and even dangerous (more is not better). The Heat Training Zone can be determined with the Heat Ramp Test.

Core Body temperature Zones

The Temperature threshold is an indicator of your own safe core body temperature upper-limit. This is useful to help 'think-ahead' and avoid heat-stress in training and competition. It is used to ensure that you train within your limits and can avoid fatigue, dangerous heat exposure and other consequences such as prolonged recovery.  

Heat Ramp Test

This heat ramp test is in ongoing development and is suited for the indoor trainer (bike). A heat ramp test for indoor treadmills is available on this page.

Purpose of the Heat Ramp Test
• To identify an optimal Heat Training Zone for Heat Training.
• A repeatable test to monitor changes in power output following Heat Training.

Preparation
If there are any heart rate irregularities such as poor sleeping, the test should not be started. Consistency is important, for example coffee intake should not vary.

Important
After the slow ramp-up, during the test, focus on maintaining a constant heart rate. It is expected that you will naturally need to gradually reduce your power output to compensate in order to maintain a steady heart rate and
this intended and correct.

Room and clothing
This test can be conducted on an indoor trainer in a heat chamber or at home in an unheated environment.

When the Heat Ramp Test is conducted in an unheated environment, overdressing is important, wearing winter sportswear helps contain the heat.

Fans should not be used and draughts or airflow should be stopped as these can provide cooling. If your body is able to cool too much, this can cause the Heat Ramp Test to fail.

TIPS
This test can be very uncomfortable. For 'at home' tests without a warmed environment, the warmer you dress to contain your heat, the shorter the test.

For further information, we have a supplement for the Heat Ramp Test for cyclists and a suplement for the Heat Ramp for runners which are worth reading in advance to ensure you get the best out of your test.

Heat Ramp Test Protocol


Step 1 - Slow Ramp-Up

Begin at 50% FTP and slowly increase to 80% FTP (target) over 20 minutes.

- 5 min 50% FTP
- 5 min 60% FTP
- 5 min 70% FTP
- 5 min 80% FTP

The timed ramp-up ensures the core body temperature rises slowly rather than rapidly.

Variations: The target FTP may be adjusted, if FTP is lowered this will extend the total test time. The target FTP should not be increased above 85% FTP.

If warm clothing is worn (to hold warmth), the target FTP should be lowered (e.g. 70%) and the total test time may be shorter.

The warmup can be adapted to suit, but should be consistent for repeatability and be advised of potential risks of overheating and remain safe.


Step 2 – First Checkpoint 38ºC / 100.4ºF

The moment core body temperature reaches 38ºC / 100.4ºF, take note of the Heart Rate and Power Output at this Checkpoint.

Heart Rate 1  _______________
Power Output 1
______________

The test has now started, continue and maintain a constant Heart Rate and cadence.

You may reach the 38ºC / 100.4ºF checkpoint during Ramp-Up and before you reach the target FTP. Or you may reach your target FTP and will need to maintain this until your reach 38ºC / 100.4ºF.

When you start the test, to maintain the constant heart rate, you will generally need to gradually your lower power output.

If you are struggling to reach the first checkpoint, this could be related to your setup or your own individual thermoregulation and further information is available here.


Step 3 – Second Checkpoint

Stop when:
a) your power output drops 20% below the Power Output 1 or;

b) when it becomes too difficult to pedal
    or you feel unwell.

Note your Core Body Temperature 1 ________________

The Test is now complete. Stop all activity completely and take note of the core body temperature. Rest, but don’t use fans or extra cooling


Step 4 – Stop

Take note of the highest core body temperature.

Note your Core Body Temperature 2 ________________

As you rest, your core body temperature can continue to rise and peak before cooling.


Example of a successful Heat Ramp Test

Heat Ramp Test Core Body Temperature

Graph 1.0 with an example Heat Ramp Test on an indoor bike trainer and winter clothing to elevate temperature

Notes:

  • On the Graph please note Heart Rate (bpm) remains constant during the test.
  • The Core Body Temperature 2 value is not used for calculation and this value does not indicate heat threshold so this value is solely being documented and not applied.

Calculating the Heat Training Zone

The Heat Training Zone (range) is calculated from the Core Body Temperature 1 value.

Celcius calculation Fahrenheit calculation

Core Body Temperature 1 minus 0.5ºC to minus 0.3ºC = Heat Training Zone

In the Heat Ramp Test example above the Core Body Temperature 1 is 38.9ºC so the Heat Training Zone is 38.4ºC to 38.6ºC

Core Body Temperature 1 minus 0.9ºF to minus 0.5ºF = Heat Training Zone

In the Heat Ramp Test example above the Core Body Temperature 1 is 102.0ºC so the Heat Training Zone is 101.1ºF to 101.5.ºF

 

Within the Heat Training Zone, an athlete endures enough ‘stress’ for this be beneficial for heat training (to prompt an increase in blood plasma) but retains a sufficient buffer against risks and detrimental impact.

Heat Training Zone

The temperature range for the Heat Training Zone may be lower than anticipated. In contrast to other sports training workout, for Heat Training "More is not better". Going beyond the heat training zone will not increase the benefits.

Repeating the Heat Ramp Test after Heat training

After Heat Block Training (and assumed improved heat adaption / conditioning) it would be expected that repeating the Heat Ramp Test would show:

  • It takes longer for the athlete to reach 38ºC
  • With the same effort, the test takes longer until the athlete reaches Core Body Temperature 1.
  • The athlete will maintain a higher comparable power output (and slower drop in power) during the test .

Heat Block Training (2 – 4 weeks) 

Heat Block Training precedes Heat Training and intensively builds your athletic conditioning before you move into your regular training program. The underlying benefit of Heat Block Training is increased power output and more efficient cooling.

Coaching approaches can vary significantly, for example, Heat Block Training can be started early in the training program or later in the program, shortly before competition. Often an early start at the beginning of the training season is favoured as a routine is established with minimal disruption to other training components before major competitions.

Heat Block Training

Your core body temperature behaviour and your physical condition is very individual to you so the following information is intended as a general guide which should be adapted by your coach to ensure it is suits your objectives and enables you to remain safe. Be aware that people without sports training experience are advised to seek professional guidance first.

A typical Heat Block Training period of 2 - 4 weeks involves 6 - 7 Heat Training Workouts a week and can also be combined with other training workouts (typically low-intensity workouts).

 
Training Setup

This is an indoor activity undertaken for the duration of two to four weeks using a home trainer. Preferably, it is a warmer room and artificially increasing your heat by overdressing with leg warmers and a jacket which contains your heat, will make it easier. Consistency is important so ensure that the clothing, setup and room temperature doesn’t change for the duration of the Heat Block Training.  

The Heat Training Workout (6 - 7 times per week)

With the Heat Ramp Test, you should already have identified your individual Heat Training Zone. For many athletes this may be around 38.5ºC / 101.3ºF

To reach your Heat Training Zone requires a good physical effort though this zone is well below your Core Threshold. Your coach can provide further guidance if you should adjust the Heat Training Zone.  

During the workout, as you get close to the Heat Training Zone, begin to back-off your effort. As core body temperature is a slow-moving metric, you can plan ahead to try and stabilise. A typical workout duration is 45 - 60 minutes within the Heat Training Zone and total activity duration of 90 minutes maximum.
 
You may notice that your power output is far lower than you anticipate. This is normal and take care not to follow be guided by power output. If your ‘set point’ is 38.5ºC, aim to regulate your effort to keep your core body temperature between 38.3ºC and 38.7ºC (100.9ºF - 101.7ºF).  
 
Your heart rate will typically be within your threshold heart rate range and can be used as an indicator to help you naturally adjust and regulate your power to try and remain close within your Heat Training Zone.  

Benefits

Usually after just a few days of Heat Block Training, athletes will start to see results in which they can maintain the Heat Training Zone core body temperature, but will see an increase in their power output levels.

An independent study of cyclists by Lorenzo et al titled Heat acclimation improves exercise performance reported a 6-8% improvement among riders who undertook heat training against a control group.

Heat Training to Maintain Performance 

After Heat Block Training, the objective is to maintain the conditioning you have acquired in preparation for competition, while also doing all of your other training activities such as Interval Training, High and Low Intensity Training, Strength Training, Outdoor and Endurance Training. Typically 2 - 4 Heat Training Workouts are incorporated into the weekly training schedule and these can be combined with other workouts (e.g extending a HIIT workout so that it transforms into a Heat Training Workout).

Heat Training Workouts

Due to the individuality of athletes and the many different training approaches, this introduces a huge scope for conducting effective Heat Training and so the following guidance is published with the understanding that it should be adjusted to suit.

Heat Training Guidance

A single Heat Training Workout can be planned on a lower intensity day. With this approach, as a rough guide, the training program would include 2 - 4 Heat Training Workouts each week. Alternatively, a high intensity workout can be planned to elevate the core body temperature into the Heat Training Zone. To compensate for the elevated temperature, the power output needs to be reduced. This means some existing training workouts can be modified or extended for the heat training value.

Some important things to notes on this approach:

  • Continually monitor the core body temperature to avoid exceeding your CORE threshold.
  • For Heat Training Workouts, Power Output / Intensity should be decreased. If the intensity is usually set at 80% FTP, this is adjusted down to between 50 and 60% of FTP.
  • Monitor heart rate and core body temperature to gauge effort and recovery
  • During efforts, fans may be necessary. The workout can be be started without fans and once the Heat Training Zone is reached, the fans are turned on.
  • Recovery time between intervals may need to be increased, the durations of the intervals may need to be decreased
  • Seek to maintain an elevated core body temperature after the session and avoid cooling down rapidly after the workout.  

Hot Baths and Saunas 

Using hot baths and saunas can help increase the core body temperature or to maintain core body temperature and slow the rate of cooling.  
 
Maintaining the elevated core body temperature directly after training can have the effect of prolonging the physiological effects of conditioning the body while saving physical effort.  
 
As a guide, athletes should avoid rapid cooling following training, particularly for Heat Training. At minimum, sit and allow the body to slowly cool and return to its normal temperature.  

Please note that the CORE sensor is not yet validated for sauna use, and its accuracy will be lower there. Also, the battery will age faster above 50°C/122°F, and the plastic will start to melt above 80°C/167°F. We recommend removing the CORE sensor before entering the sauna, and then wearing it again afterward to track your continued elevated core temperature.

Warning: Please take note of the risks of Heat Training and seek guidance from an accredited and experienced coach.   

The Science of Heat Training

Why does Heat Training help improve athletic performance? The short answer is that this stress acts to condition the body.  
 
During intense sports, as the body heats, the body expends more energy pumping blood to the skin to aid cooling. This means there is less blood directed to the muscles for power generation. By default, when you are cooler your effective power output is higher.
 
The body has a mechanism to increase the level of blood plasma when body temperature reaches around 38.5ºC / 101.3ºF to help with the delivery of the oxygen carrying hemoglobin in the red blood cells to the tissues.
 
However, this increase in blood plasma reduces the hematocrit which is the percentage of red blood cells to plasma. The body naturally seeks to balance this by then producing more red blood cells.

The result, a higher blood volume and the body has more blood to work with. This means more oxygen in the hemoglobin carrying red blood cells can reach the muscles. The muscles are not as starved because they are receiving more oxygen, so the power output is higher. But also, the increased blood volume makes the body more efficient in cooling.

To learn more about the Science of Heat Training, check our collated collection of the most relevant thermal regulation and sport performance research papers.

Heat Training Dangers 

Heat Training is not particularly complicated; you just need an indoor trainer, you follow a set plan and watch your core body temperature. And it can deliver measurable performance benefits within weeks, however you need to listen to your body to do it safely and effectively.

Heat Training sessions, even at very low power, put your body in stress and can feel very uncomfortable. These can be some of the hardest, low-power, slowest training sessions you ever do.

If you are feeling unwell, stop and immediately cool yourself. Do not over-do Heat Training and continuously monitor your core body temperature. There is a risk of danger because elevated temperatures introduce heat-stress and can result in blowing-up (which is the complete loss of power), collapsing and a short or long-term impact on your recovery and performance.

This type of training should be planned and executed with professional guidance from an accredited and experienced coach. If you are uncertain whether you can perform Heat Training, consult your doctor first.

The CORE Body Temperature monitor is not a medical device and you are advised to read the disclaimer before using it.

Feedback and Updates

Do you feel something is missing? Can you share additional information or Heat Training approaches that need to be reflected on this page? Simply let us know as this is intended to be a curated page that is updated and optimised.

The easiest approach is with the chat/dialogue function (green button on the bottom right). If you would like us to contact you, please include your details.

Resources and Studies

Heat Training Resources

TrainerRoad: How to Get Faster with Heat Training - Jonathan Lee 2017 July

TrainingPeaks: Effective Strategies to Beat Summer Heat - Embracing heat training can give you some powerful adaptations - William Ritter 2020 August

Kenefick RW, Ely BR, Cheuvront SN, Palombo LJ, Goodman DA, Sawka MN. Prior heat stress: effect on subsequent 15-min time trial performance in the heat. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009 Jun;41(6):1311-6. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181988c14. PMID: 19461533.


Heat Acclimation Resources

Garrett AT, Creasy R, Rehrer NJ, Patterson MJ, Cotter JD. Effectiveness of short-term heat acclimation for highly trained athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2012 May;112(5):1827-37. doi: 10.1007/s00421-011-2153-3. Epub 2011 Sep 14. PMID: 21915701.

Heathcote SL, Hassmén P, Zhou S, Stevens CJ. Passive Heating: Reviewing Practical Heat Acclimation Strategies for Endurance Athletes. Front Physiol. 2018 Dec 20;9:1851. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01851. PMID: 30618849; PMCID: PMC6306444.

Stanley, J., Halliday, A., D’Auria, S. et al. Effect of sauna-based heat acclimation on plasma volume and heart rate variability. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 785–794 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3060-1

Scoon GS, Hopkins WG, Mayhew S, Cotter JD. Effect of post-exercise sauna bathing on the endurance performance of competitive male runners. J Sci Med Sport. 2007 Aug;10(4):259-62. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2006.06.009. Epub 2006 Jul 31. PMID: 16877041.


Sports Science Resources

** Périard, J.D.,& Racinais, S.,  Heat Stress in Sport and Exercise : Thermophysiology of Health and Performance Springer, 2019, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-93515-7

Luetkemeier MJ, Thomas EL. Hypervolemia and cycling time trial performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994 Apr;26(4):503-9. PMID: 7515456.

Lorenzo S, Halliwill JR, Sawka MN, Minson CT. Heat acclimation improves exercise performance. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2010 Oct;109(4):1140-7. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00495.2010. Epub 2010 Aug 19. PMID: 20724560; PMCID: PMC2963322.

Baranauskas, Marissa N.1; Constantini, Keren2; Paris, Hunter L.3; Wiggins, Chad C.4; Schlader, Zachary J.1; Chapman, Robert F.1 Heat Versus Altitude Training for Endurance Performance at Sea Level, Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews: January 2021 - Volume 49 - Issue 1 - p 50-58
doi: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000238

Oberholzer L, Siebenmann C, Mikkelsen CJ, Junge N, Piil JF, Morris NB, Goetze JP, Meinild Lundby A-K, Nybo L and Lundby C (2019) Hematological Adaptations to Prolonged Heat Acclimation in Endurance-Trained Males. Front. Physiol. 10:1379. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01379