Smith, D. A., Kobus, J., & Quinlivan, C. (1997). The effects of heat and dehydration on the performance of elite archers. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 29(5), Supplement abstract 758.

Anecdotal evidence suggests a decrease in performance after prolonged heat exposure in skill-event athletes. This study investigated such an opinion in highly proficient archers.

Ss (M = 4, F = 4) from the Olympic Archery training squad completed a sport-specific 18-arrow shoot off before the following randomized two-hour climate chamber trials:

1. cool and euhydrated (23 degrees Celsius; 40% relative humidity; water intake matching fluid losses);
2. hot (36 degrees Celsius) and euhydrated; and
3. hot and dehydrated (no water intake).

There were no differences in performance between the conditions despite physiological response differences between genders and the conditions.

Implication. A one-time exposure to hot and humid conditions combined with mild dehydration do not have a negative effect on archery performance. However, repeated exposures to heat and dehydration and their effects on skill performance have not been investigated.

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