Winter Sports: Mona Brorsson and Mathias Fredriksson on Heat Training: 'Will Become Bigger and Bigger'

The article outlines how more and more cross-country skiers and biathletes are adopting heat training in order to improve their oxygen uptake capacity. This unorthodox method is seen as a viable alternative or supplement to traditional high-altitude training.

SVT Sports expert Mathias Fredriksson admits that "it feels a bit scary to push the body to a high fever," highlighting the intensity of the approach. Meanwhile, expert Mona Brorsson is confident that the method will only grow in popularity, noting that many nations are still in the early stages of adopting this unconventional training technique.

Long-distance skier Axel Jutterström is one of the athletes who has embraced the new method. He trains at home with a heat chamber setup and is aiming to win Vasaloppet in early March. The Swedish biathlon team is also incorporating heat training into their regimen, although their head coach Johannes Lukas prefers not to disclose too many specifics as the practice is still being explored.

Research suggests that the effects of heat training can parallel those achieved through high-altitude training, making it an attractive option for endurance athletes looking to boost performance with a more accessible method.