Research in the field of environmental exercise physiology that is conducted within the EP2 program or by the participating member institutions are presented here.
Current research news:
We are currently conducting research measurements to investigate the separate effects of skin temperature, muscle temperature, and core temperature on performance and oxygen transport during exercise. The measurements are being carried out at the Helsinki Sports and Exercise Medicine Clinic.
Current projects:
HOTPOXIA (EP2, HULA)
HOTPOXIA research project focuses on the combined effect of hypoxia and heat in endurance athletes. Training in hypoxia is a key part of nearly all international level endurance athletes and it is used to increase hemoglobin mass, maximal oxygen consumption, and ultimately endurance performance. There is some evidence that heat could have similar cellular level effects to hypoxia. In addition, prolonged heat exposure can increase plasma volume, which can be beneficial for endurance performance. HOTPOXIA aims to increase knowledge about the combined effects of the two exposures.
Heat and Cold Therapy for Acute Exercise Recovery (TRECO): Towards Individualized Strategies in Endurance and Strength Athletes (JYU, Pajulahti, HULA)
TRECO research project aims to investigate and develope recovery strategies for endurance and strength athletes. The investigated methods are based on using heat, cooling, and the combination of the two exposures. Temperature exposure on both core and peripheral tissues are investigated.
Heat, performance, and recovery (JYU)
Heat, Performance, and Recovery project investigates the use of heat exposure on recovery after acute exercise and the use of repeated heat exposure for training adaptations. The research focuses the recovery and enhancement of strength and power capacities of team-sport athletes. Furthermore, the effects of post-exercise sauna on autonomic nervous system and stress hormones are investigated.
The research is supported by Harvia Oyj, Urheiluopistosäätiö, The Finnish Sauna Society, Suomen Urheilututkimussäätiö, Ellen and Artturi Nyyssönen Foundation, and European Regional Development Fund (A74999).
Publications:
Tetzlaff, E. J., Hancock, C., Waddell, L., Gagnon, S. S., Mäkelä, K., Karhu, T., Peltonen, J., Herzig, K., and Gagnon, D. D. 2026. Cold Exposure and Human Metabolism: A Heterogeneous Response across Tissues and Organs. Temperature, January, 1–36. doi:10.1080/23328940.2025.2599582.
Schobersberger, W., Valtonen, M., Köck, A., Racinais, S., Pitsiladis, Y., Verdoukas, P., Muniz, B., Mäki-Heikkilä, R., Ihalainen, J., Gagnon, D., & Dünnwald, T. 2025. Thermoregulatory responses in elite cross-country skiers during international competitions and training. Frontiers in Physiology, preprint.
Gagnon, D. D., McCue, A., Peltonen, J. E., Marsh, D., MacLean, D., & Serresse, O. 2025. The effects of muscle temperature on the muscle blood flow-oxygen consumption relationship during single leg isokinetic exercise. Journal of thermal biology, 134, 104318. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2025.104318
Lehtonen, E., Rissanen, AP., Peltonen, J., Gagnon, DD., Mikkola, T. 2025. Both Central and Peripheral Adaptations Contribute to Training-Induced Changes in Maximal O2 Uptake in an Intensity Domain-Specific Manner. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000003734
Peltonen, J.E., Leppävuori, A., Lehtonen, E., Mikkonen, R.S., Kettunen, O., Nummela, A., Ohtonen, O., Gagnon, D.D., Wehrlin, J.P., Wilber, R.L. & Linnamo, V. 2024. Combined intermittent hypoxic exposure at rest and continuous hypoxic training can maintain elevated hemoglobin mass after a hypoxic camp. Journal of Applied Physiology. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00017.2024
Wallace, P. J., Gagnon, D., Hartley, G. L., Taber, M. J., . & Cheung, S. 2023. Effects of skin and mild core cooling on cognitive function in cold air in men. Physiological Reports 11 (24). https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.15893
Wallace, P. J., Hartley, G. L., Nowlan, J. G., Ljubanovich, J., Sieh, N., Taber, M. J., Gagnon, D. & Cheung, S. 2023. Endurance Capacity Impairment in Cold Air Ranging from Skin Cooling to Mild Hypothermia. Journal of Applied Physiology. Article in Press https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00663.2023
Borgenström, J., Kyröläinen, H., Pihlainen, K., Vaara, J. & Ojanen, T. 2023. Effects of male paratroopers’ initial body composition on changes in physical performance and recovery during a 20-day winter military field training. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. Just-IN https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2023-0002