RESEARCH PAPER
Impact of Heat and Humidity on Critical Power and Physiological Responses during
the Three-Minute All-Out Test in Cyclists
More details
Hide details
1
Department of Physical Education, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan.
2
Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.
3
Graduate Institute of Sport Coaching Science, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan.
4
Department of Exercise and Health Science, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan.
Submission date: 2025-11-22
Final revision date: 2026-03-05
Acceptance date: 2026-03-19
Publication date: 2026-04-02
Corresponding author
Yu-Hsuan Kuo
Department of Physical Education, Chinese Culture University, Huagang Rd., Shilin Dist., 111, Taipei, Taiwan
Journal of Human Kinetics 2026;101:305-315
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
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.
REFERENCES (38)
1.
Armstrong, L. E. (2000). Performing in extreme environments (Vol. 1). Champaign, IL: Human kinetics.
2.
Armstrong, L. E., Casa, D. J., Millard-Stafford, M., Moran, D. S., Pyne, S. W., & Roberts, W. O. (2007). American college of sports medicine position stand. Exertional heat illness during training and competition. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 39(3), 556–572.
https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b....
3.
Backx, K., McNaughton, L., Crickmore, L., Palmer, G., & Carlisle, A. (2000). Effects of differing heat and humidity on the performance and recovery from multiple high intensity, intermittent exercise bouts. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 21(6), 400–405.
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2000....
4.
Bailey, S. J., Romer, L. M., Kelly, J., Wilkerson, D. P., DiMenna, F. J., & Jones, A. M. (2010). Inspiratory muscle training enhances pulmonary O2 uptake kinetics and high-intensity exercise tolerance in humans. Journal of Applied Physiology, 109(2), 457–468.
https://doi.org/10.1152/japplp....
5.
Baillot, M., Hue, O., Tran, T. T., & Antoine-Jonville, S. (2021). Neuromuscular activity during cycling performance in hot/dry and hot/humid conditions. Life, 11(11), 1149.
https://doi.org/10.3390/life11....
6.
Beaver, W. L., Wasserman, K., & Whipp, B. J. (1986). A new method for detecting anaerobic threshold by gas exchange. Journal of Applied Physiology, 60(6), 2020–2027.
https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.....
8.
Bourgois, G., Mucci, P., Caen, K., Colosio, A. L., Kerckhove, M., Bourgois, J. G., Pogliaghi, S., & Boone, J. (2023). Effect of acute heat exposure on the determination of critical power and W′ in women and men. European Journal of Sport Science, 23(12), 2425–2434.
https://doi.org/10.1080/174613....
9.
Bright, F. M., Clark, B., Jay, O., & Périard, J. D. (2025). Elevated humidity impairs evaporative heat loss and self‐paced exercise performance in the heat. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 35(3), e70041.
https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.70....
10.
Burnley, M., Doust, J. H., & Vanhatalo, A. (2006). A 3-min all-out test to determine peak oxygen uptake and the maximal steady state. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(11), 1995–2003.
https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss....
11.
Cheng, C. F., Yang, Y. S., Lin, H. M., Lee, C. L., & Wang, C. Y. (2012). Determination of critical power in trained rowers using a three-minute all-out rowing test. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 112(4), 1251–1260.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421....
13.
Fan, Y., Zhang, B., Wang, Y., & Wu, H. (2024). Different humidity environments do not affect the subsequent exercise ability of college football players after aerobic high-intensity interval training. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 16205.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598....
14.
Flouris, A. D., & Schlader, Z. J. (2015). Human behavioral thermoregulation during exercise in the heat. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 25(1), 52–64.
https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12....
15.
Galán-Rioja, M. Á., González-Mohíno, F., Abián-Vicen, J., & Gonzalez-Ravé, J. M. (2024). Comparison of physiological responses between a W´ BAL-INT training model and a critical power test. Journal of Human Kinetics, 94, 105–115.
https://doi.org/10.5114/jhk/18....
16.
Girard, O., Brocherie, F., & Bishop, D. J. (2015). Sprint performance under heat stress: A review. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 25(S1), 79–89.
https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12....
17.
González-Alonso, J., & Calbet, J. A. (2003). Reductions in systemic and skeletal muscle blood flow and oxygen delivery limit maximal aerobic capacity in humans. Circulation, 107(6), 824–830.
https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR....
18.
González-Alonso, J., Teller, C., Andersen, S. L., Jensen, F. B., Hyldig, T., & Nielsen, B. (1999). Influence of body temperature on the development of fatigue during prolonged exercise in the heat. Journal of Applied Physiology, 86(3), 1032–1039.
https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.....
19.
Hunter, B., Ledger, A., & Muniz-Pumares, D. (2023). Remote determination of critical speed and critical power in recreational runners. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 18(12), 1449–1456.
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.....
20.
IPCC. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press.
https://doi.org/10.1017/978100....
21.
Jones, A. M., & Vanhatalo, A. (2017). The ‘critical power’ concept: Applications to sports performance with a focus on intermittent high-intensity exercise. Sports Medicine, 47(1), 65–78.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279....
22.
Kaiser, B. W., Kruse, K. E. K., Gibson, B. M., Santisteban, K. J., Larson, E. A., Wilkins, B. W., Jones, A. M., Halliwill, J. R., & Minson, C. T. (2021). The impact of elevated body core temperature on critical power as determined by a 3-min all-out test. Journal of Applied Physiology, 131(5), 1543–1551.
https://doi.org/10.1152/japplp....
23.
Kuo, Y. H., Cheng, C. F., Hsu, W. C., & Wong, D. P. (2017). Validity and reliability of the 3-min all-out running test to measure critical velocity in hot environments. Research in Sports Medicine, 25(4), 470–479.
https://doi.org/10.1080/154386....
24.
Kuo, Y. H., Cheng, C. F., & Kuo, Y. C. (2021). Determining validity of critical power estimated using a three-minute all-out test in hot environments. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(17), 9193.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph....
25.
Maughan, R. J., Otani, H., & Watson, P. (2012). Influence of relative humidity on prolonged exercise capacity in a warm environment. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 112(6), 2313–2321.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421....
26.
Moyen, N. E., Ellis, C. L., Ciccone, A. B., Thurston, T. S., Cochrane, K. C., Brown, L. E., ... & Judelson, D. A. (2014). Increasing relative humidity impacts low-intensity exercise in the heat. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 85(2), 112–119.
https://doi.org/10.3357/asem.3....
27.
Nybo, L., Rasmussen, P., & Sawka, M. N. (2014). Performance in the heat—physiological factors of importance for hyperthermia-induced fatigue. Comprehensive Physiology, 4(2), 657–689.
https://doi.org/10.1002/cphy.c....
28.
Périard, J. D., Caillaud, C., & Thompson, M. W. (2011). Central and peripheral fatigue during passive and exercise-induced hyperthermia. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(9), 1657–1665.
https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b....
29.
Périard, J. D., Eijsvogels, T. M., & Daanen, H. A. (2021). Exercise under heat stress: Thermoregulation, hydration, performance implications, and mitigation strategies. Physiological Reviews, 101(4), 1873–1979.
https://doi.org/10.1152/physre....
30.
Périard, J. D., Racinais, S., & Sawka, M. N. (2015). Adaptations and mechanisms of human heat acclimation: Applications for competitive athletes and sports. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 25(1), 20–38.
https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12....
31.
Pettitt, R. W., Dicks, N. D., & Kramer, M. (2025). Applications of the 3-min all-out exercise test for prescribing high-intensity interval training: A narrative review on a decade of research progress. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 47(1), 45–55.
https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.00....
32.
Pilch, W., Żychowska, M., Piotrowska, A., Czerwińska-Ledwig, O., Mikuľáková, W., & Sadowska-Krępa, E. (2022). Effects of elevated body temperature on selected physiological indices and thermal stress in athletes and non-athletes. Journal of Human Kinetics, 84, 112–123.
https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-....
33.
Shi, Y., Lian, Z., Hu, S., & Hu, Y. (2022). Effects of multiple indoor environmental factors on anaerobic exercise performance. Journal of Thermal Biology, 108, 103280.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jthe....
34.
Sreedhara, V. S. M., Mocko, G. M., & Hutchison, R. E. (2023). Repeatability and variability of the 3-min all-out test at the subject level. Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise, 5(1), 77–86.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978....
35.
Vanhatalo, A., Doust, J. H., & Burnley, M. (2007). Determination of critical power using a 3-min all-out cycling test. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 39(3), 548–555.
https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b....
36.
Vanhatalo, A., Jones, A. M., & Burnley, M. (2011). Application of critical power in sport. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 6(1), 128–136.
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.....
37.
Vinetti, G., Taboni, A., Bruseghini, P., Camelio, S., D’Elia, M., Fagoni, N., ... & Ferretti, G. (2019). Experimental validation of the 3-parameter critical power model in cycling. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 119(4), 941–949.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421....
38.
Williamson-Reisdorph, C. M., Quindry, T. S., Christison, K. S., Gurney, S. C., Tiemessen, K. G., Cuddy, J., ... & Quindry, J. C. (2023). Training in a hot environment fails to elicit changes in the blood oxidative stress response. Journal of Human Kinetics, 87, 81–92.
https://doi.org/10.5114/jhk/16....