Thermoregulatory influence of a cooling vest on hyperthermic athletes.
BACKGROUND
Athletic trainers must have sound evidence for the best practices in treating and preventing heat-related emergencies and potentially catastrophic events.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the effectiveness of a superficial cooling vest on core body temperature (T(c)) and skin temperature (T(sk)) in hypohydrated hyperthermic male participants.


METHODS
A randomized control design with 2 experimental groups.


METHODS
Participants exercised by completing the heat-stress trial in a hot, humid environment (ambient temperature = 33.1 +/- 3.1 degrees C, relative humidity = 55.1 +/- 8.9%, wind speed = 2.1 +/- 1.1 km/hr) until a T(c) of 38.7 +/- 0.3 degrees C and a body mass loss of 3.27 +/- 0.1% were achieved.


METHODS
Ten healthy males (age = 25.6 +/- 1.6 years, mass = 80.3 +/- 13.7 kg).


METHODS
Recovery in a thermoneutral environment wearing a cooling vest or without wearing a cooling vest until T(c) returned to baseline.


METHODS
Rectal T(c), arm T(sk), time to return to baseline T(c), and cooling rate.


RESULTS
During the heat-stress trial, T(c) significantly increased (3.6%) and, at 30 minutes of recovery, T(c) had decreased significantly (2.6%) for both groups. Although not significant, the time for return to baseline T(c) was 22.6% faster for the vest group (43.8 +/- 15.1 minutes) than for the no-vest group (56.6 +/- 18.0 minutes), and the cooling rate for the vest group (0.0298 +/- 0.0072 degrees C/min) was not significantly different from the cooling rate for the no-vest group (0.0280 +/- 0.0074 degrees C/min). The T(sk) during recovery was significantly higher (2.1%) in the vest group than in the no-vest group and was significantly lower (7.1%) at 30 minutes than at 0 minutes for both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
We do not recommend using the cooling vest to rapidly reduce elevated T(c). Ice-water immersion should remain the standard of care for rapidly cooling severely hyperthermic individuals.
Lopez
Rebecca M
RM
Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, 2095 Hillside Road, Unit 1110, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. rebecca.lopez@uconn.edu
Cleary
Michelle A
MA
Jones
Leon C
LC
Zuri
Ron E
RE
D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003681:Dehydration; D005334:Fever / Q000628:therapy*; D006359:Heat Exhaustion / Q000150:complications*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011481:Protective Clothing