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Int J Sports Med 2014; 35(10): 840-846
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1368723
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Cooling during Exercise in Temperate Conditions: Impact on Performance and Thermoregulation

T. M. H. Eijsvogels
1   Department of Physiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
2   Henry Low Heart Center, Department of Cardiology, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
,
C. C. W. G. Bongers
1   Department of Physiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
M. T. W. Veltmeijer
1   Department of Physiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
M. H. Moen
3   NOC*NSF, medical staff, Papendal, The Netherlands
,
M. Hopman
1   Department of Physiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 13 January 2014

Publication Date:
25 April 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Exercise-induced increase in core body temperature may lead to the development of hyperthermia (>40.0°C) and/or decreased performance levels. This study examined the effects of wearing a cooling vest during a 5-km time trial on thermoregulatory responses and performance. 10 male masters athletes (42±10 years) performed a 5-km time trial on a motorized treadmill in a climate chamber (25°C, 55% relative humidity) with and without a cooling vest. Split times, heart rate, core-, skin- and cooling vest temperature were measured every 500 m. Subjects also rated thermal comfort and level of perceived exertion. The cooling vest significantly decreased heart rate (p<0.05), decreased skin temperature (p<0.001) and improved thermal comfort (p<0.005) during the time trial. Time to finish the 5-km time trial and pacing strategy did not differ between the control (1 246±96 s) and cooling vest condition (1 254±98 s, p=0.85). Additionally, thermoregulatory responses, maximum core body temperature and level of perceived exertion were not different across conditions (p=0.85, p=0.49, p=0.11, respectively). In conclusion, we demonstrated that wearing a cooling vest during exercise improves thermal comfort but does not enhance performance or decrease core body temperature in male masters athletes under temperate ambient conditions.

Key words

cooling vest - core body temperature - endurance exercise - athletes - time trial - precooling
 

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