title: Effect of Cold on Proprioception and Cognitive Function in Elite Alpine Skiers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of cold ambient conditions on proprioception and cognitive function in elite alpine skiers.
  
  
  METHODS
  22 high-level alpine skiers and 14 control participants performed a proprioceptive-acuity (active movement-extent discrimination) and a cognitive (planning task) test in cold (8°C) and temperate (24°C) ambient conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All participants displayed an increase in thermal discomfort and the amount of negative affects in the cold environment (all P < .05). Average proprioceptive acuity was significantly better in the elite skiers (0.46° ± 0.12°) than in the control group (0.55° ± 0.12°) (P < .05) and was not affected by cold ambient conditions, except for a shift in the pattern of error (over- vs underestimation, P < .05). Cognitive performance was similar between elite skiers and control participants in temperate environments but decreased in the cold in the control group only (P < .05) becoming lower than in elite skiers (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elite alpine skiers showed a significantly better proprioceptive acuity than a control population and were able to maintain their performance during a cognitive task in a cold environment.
authors.forename: Sebastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Racinais
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gaoua
authors.forename: Khouloud
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mtibaa
authors.forename: Rodney
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Whiteley
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hautier
authors.forename: Marine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alhammoud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology*; D012865:Skiing / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D013697:Thermosensing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: AMEDA; environment; exercise; ski; temperature