This document was prepared for coaches and athletes of the Canadian National Cycling Team who took part in the recent Olympic Games held in Atlanta. Its purpose was twofold: (i) to create an awareness of the negative impact on performance that is generally associated with prolonged exercise in a hot and humid environment, and (ii) to suggest practical strategies aimed at reducing the risk of counter-performance under these conditions. This text is the result of an extensive review of the scientific litterature on the subject, as well as the practical experience of the author. It contains recommendations which are primarily applicable to high performance athletes, and which are based on the physiological adaptations which occur in these subjects in response to intense and prolonged training programs. However, because the information it contains can be of interest to athletes and coaches in sports other than cycling, it was considered appropriate to share it with the sport community at large.
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