title: Effects of mixed-method cooling on recovery of medium-fast bowling performance in hot conditions on consecutive days.
abstract: This investigation examined physiological and performance effects of cooling on recovery of medium-fast bowlers in the heat. Eight, medium-fast bowlers completed two randomised trials, involving two sessions completed on consecutive days (Session 1: 10-overs and Session 2: 4-overs) in 31 ± 3°C and 55 ± 17% relative humidity. Recovery interventions were administered for 20 min (mixed-method cooling vs. control) after Session 1. Measures included bowling performance (ball speed, accuracy, run-up speeds), physical demands (global positioning system, counter-movement jump), physiological (heart rate, core temperature, skin temperature, sweat loss), biochemical (creatine kinase, C-reactive protein) and perceptual variables (perceived exertion, thermal sensation, muscle soreness). Mean ball speed was higher after cooling in Session 2 (118.9 ± 8.1 vs. 115.5 ± 8.6 km · h⁻¹; P = 0.001; d = 0.67), reducing declines in ball speed between sessions (0.24 vs. -3.18 km · h⁻¹; P = 0.03; d = 1.80). Large effects indicated higher accuracy in Session 2 after cooling (46.0 ± 11.2 vs. 39.4 ± 8.6 arbitrary units [AU]; P = 0.13; d = 0.93) without affecting total run-up speed (19.0 ± 3.1 vs. 19.0 ± 2.5 km · h⁻¹; P = 0.97; d = 0.01). Cooling reduced core temperature, skin temperature and thermal sensation throughout the intervention (P = 0.001-0.05; d = 1.31-5.78) and attenuated creatine kinase (P = 0.04; d = 0.56) and muscle soreness at 24-h (P = 0.03; d = 2.05). Accordingly, mixed-method cooling can reduce thermal strain after a 10-over spell and improve markers of muscular damage and discomfort alongside maintained medium-fast bowling performance on consecutive days in hot conditions.
authors.affiliation: School of Human Movement Studies, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia. gminett@csu.edu.au
authors.forename: Geoffrey M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Minett
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Duffield
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kellett
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Portus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D013697:Thermosensing; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003402:Creatine Kinase