Christopher James Tyler1, Caroline Sunderland. 1. Human and Life Sciences, Whitelands College, Roehampton University, London, United Kingdom. Chris.Tyler@roehampton.ac.uk
Abstract
CONTEXT: Cooling the neck region can improve the ability to exercise in a hot environment. It might improve performance by dampening the perceived level of thermal strain, allowing individuals to override inhibitory signals. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the enhanced ability to exercise in a hot environment observed when cooling the neck region occurs because of dampening the perceived level of thermal strain experienced and the subsequent overriding of inhibitory signals. DESIGN: Crossover study. SETTING: Walk-in environmental chamber. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Eight endurance-trained, nonacclimated men (age = 26 ± 2 years, height = 1.79 ± 0.04 m, mass = 77.0 ± 6.2 kg, maximal oxygen uptake [V˙O(2max)] = 56.2 ± 9.2 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) participated. INTERVENTION(S): Participants completed 4 running tests at approximately 70% V˙O(2max) to volitional exhaustion: 2 familiarization trials followed by 2 experimental trials (cooling collar [CC] and no collar [NC]). Trials were separated by 7 days. Familiarization and NC trials were performed without a collar and used to assess the test variability. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Time to volitional exhaustion, heart rate, rectal temperature, neck skin temperature, rating of perceived exertion, thermal sensation, and feeling scale (pleasure/displeasure) were measured. RESULTS:Time to volitional exhaustion was increased by 13.5% ± 3.8% (CC = 43.15 ± 12.82 minutes, NC = 38.20 ± 11.70 minutes; t(7) = 9.923, P < .001) with the CC, which reduced mean neck skin temperature throughout the test (P < .001). Participants terminated exercise at identical levels of perceived exertion, thermal sensation, and feeling scale, but the CC enabled participants to tolerate higher rectal temperatures (CC = 39.61°C ± 0.45°C, NC = 39.18°C ± 0.7°C; t(7) = -3.217, P = .02) and heart rates (CC = 181 ± 6 beats/min, NC = 178 ± 9 beats/min; t(7) = -2.664, P = .03) at the point of termination. CONCLUSIONS: Cooling the neck increased the time taken to reach volitional exhaustion by dampening the perceived levels of thermal strain.
RCT Entities:
CONTEXT: Cooling the neck region can improve the ability to exercise in a hot environment. It might improve performance by dampening the perceived level of thermal strain, allowing individuals to override inhibitory signals. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the enhanced ability to exercise in a hot environment observed when cooling the neck region occurs because of dampening the perceived level of thermal strain experienced and the subsequent overriding of inhibitory signals. DESIGN: Crossover study. SETTING: Walk-in environmental chamber. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Eight endurance-trained, nonacclimated men (age = 26 ± 2 years, height = 1.79 ± 0.04 m, mass = 77.0 ± 6.2 kg, maximal oxygen uptake [V˙O(2max)] = 56.2 ± 9.2 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) participated. INTERVENTION(S): Participants completed 4 running tests at approximately 70% V˙O(2max) to volitional exhaustion: 2 familiarization trials followed by 2 experimental trials (cooling collar [CC] and no collar [NC]). Trials were separated by 7 days. Familiarization and NC trials were performed without a collar and used to assess the test variability. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Time to volitional exhaustion, heart rate, rectal temperature, neck skin temperature, rating of perceived exertion, thermal sensation, and feeling scale (pleasure/displeasure) were measured. RESULTS: Time to volitional exhaustion was increased by 13.5% ± 3.8% (CC = 43.15 ± 12.82 minutes, NC = 38.20 ± 11.70 minutes; t(7) = 9.923, P < .001) with the CC, which reduced mean neck skin temperature throughout the test (P < .001). Participants terminated exercise at identical levels of perceived exertion, thermal sensation, and feeling scale, but the CC enabled participants to tolerate higher rectal temperatures (CC = 39.61°C ± 0.45°C, NC = 39.18°C ± 0.7°C; t(7) = -3.217, P = .02) and heart rates (CC = 181 ± 6 beats/min, NC = 178 ± 9 beats/min; t(7) = -2.664, P = .03) at the point of termination. CONCLUSIONS: Cooling the neck increased the time taken to reach volitional exhaustion by dampening the perceived levels of thermal strain.
Authors: Jason K W Lee; Aldrich C H Koh; Serene X T Koh; Glen J X Liu; Amanda Q X Nio; Priscilla W P Fan Journal: Eur J Appl Physiol Date: 2013-12-07 Impact factor: 3.078
Authors: Sophie H Kroesen; Johannus Q de Korte; Maria T E Hopman; Coen C W G Bongers; Thijs M H Eijsvogels Journal: Eur J Appl Physiol Date: 2021-11-19 Impact factor: 3.078