INTRODUCTION: This year, for the first time in history, the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022 will be moved to November and December in order to make the climatic conditions more bearable and less thermally troublesome for players (Konefal et al., 2021). According to the calculations of climatologists, despite the fact that during the tournament there will not be extremely high temperatures as in June and July, it can still reach close to, or even exceed 30 C degrees (Chodor et al., 2021). This study aimed to assess the capacity for repeated maximal effort (RME) of soccer players in the thermo-natural conditions (NC) and in simulated conditions for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar (QSC). METHODS: Twenty-four semi-professional soccer players participated in the study. The exercise test consisted of ten 6-second maximal efforts on a cycloergometer. A 90-second passive rest interval was used. The test was performed in a Weiss Technik WK-26 climate chamber under two different conditions: 1) thermo-neutral (NC - 20.5°C; 58.7% humidity); 2) simulated for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (QSC - 28.5 ± 1.92°C; 58.7 ± 8.64% humidity). Power-related, physiological, psychomotor, blood, and electrolytes variables were recorded. RESULTS: Results showed that, (1) players achieved higher peak power, needed less time to peak power, had higher values of fatigue slope in QSC than in NC (in each repetition of research protocol); (2) comparing to the 1st repetition, subsequent repetitions were observed many significant changes among physiological, blood-related, and electrolyte variables, but their direction was similar in both simulated conditions; (3) an 8°C of temperature difference between the climatic conditions did not significantly affect the physical and physiological responses of the soccer players in RME. CONCLUSION: The current study provides a better understanding of the effects of different climatic conditions, with particular emphasis wide group of parameters to determine the different reactions of players on RME. Results can be used in the design of training programs to increase players physiological adaptations by simulating soccer-specific conditions of play in terms of anaerobic capacity, in particular repetitive maximal effort. These findings will be useful during the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022 and in locations where high ambient temperatures are customary.
© Copyright 2022 27th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Sevilla, 30. Aug - 2. Sep 2022. Julkaistu Tekijä Faculty of Sport Science - Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään. / Kääntänyt https://www.DeepL.com/Translator