Self-paced cycling performance and recovery under a hot and highly humid environment after cooling.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the effects of pre- and post-cooling on self-paced time-trial cycling performance and recovery of cyclists exercising under a hot and highly humid environment (29.92 °C-78.52% RH).


METHODS
Ten male cyclists performed a self-paced 20-min time trial test (TT20) on a cyclo-ergometer while being cooled by a cooling vest and a refrigerating headband during the warm-up and the recovery period. Heart rate, power output, perceived exertion, thermal comfort, skin and rectal temperatures were recorded.


RESULTS
Compared to control condition (222.78 ± 47 W), a significant increase (P<0.05) in the mean power output during the TT20 (239.07 ± 45 W; +7.31%) was recorded with a significant (P<0.05) decrease in skin temperature without affecting perceived exertion, heart rate, or rectal temperature at the end of the TT20. However, pace changes occurred independently of skin or rectal temperatures variations but a significant difference (P<0.05) in the body's heat storage was observed between both conditions. This result suggests that a central programmer using body's heat storage as an input may influence self-paced time-trial performance. During the recovery period, post-cooling significantly decreased heart rate, skin and rectal temperatures, and improved significantly (P<0.05) thermal comfort.


CONCLUSIONS
Therefore, in hot and humid environments, wearing a cooling vest and a refrigerating headband during warm-up improves self-paced performance, and appears to be an effective mean of reaching skin rest temperatures more rapidly during recovery.
Laboratory C3S - Culture Sports Health and Society Sport and Health Department University of Franche‑Comté, Besançon, France - gonzalesbenoit@hotmail.com.
B R
BR
Gonzales
V
V
Hagin
R
R
Guillot
V
V
Placet
P
P
Monnier-Benoit
A
A
Groslambert
D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult