title: A Comparison of 2 Practical Cooling Methods on Cycling Capacity in the Heat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cooling the torso and neck can improve exercise performance and capacity in a hot environment; however, the proposed mechanisms for the improvements often differ.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To directly compare the effects of cooling the neck and torso region using commercially available devices on exercise capacity in a hot environment (temperature = 35°C ± 0.1°C, relative humidity = 50.1% ± 0.7%).
  
  
  METHODS
  Crossover study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight recreationally active, nonheat-acclimated men (age = 24 ± 4 years, height = 1.82 ± 0.10 m, mass = 80.3 ± 9.7 kg, maximal power output = 240 ± 25 W).
  
  
  METHODS
  Three cycling capacity tests at 60% maximal power output to volitional exhaustion: 1 with no cooling (NC), 1 with vest cooling (VC), and 1 with a neck cooling collar (CC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Time to volitional exhaustion, rectal temperature, mean skin temperature, torso and neck skin temperature, body mass, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, thermal sensation, and feeling scale were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants cycled longer with VC (32.2 ± 9.5 minutes) than NC (27. 6 ± 7.6 minutes; P = .03; d = 0.54) or CC (30.0 ± 8.8 minutes; P = .02; d = 0.24). We observed no difference between NC and CC (P = .12; d = 0.31). Neck and torso temperature and perceived thermal sensation were reduced with the use of cooling modalities (P < .001), but no other variables were affected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cycling capacity in the heat improved when participants used a commercially available cooling vest, but we observed no benefit from wearing a commercially available CC. The vest and the collar did not alter the heart rate, rectal temperature, skin temperature, or sweat-loss responses to the cycling bout.
authors: University of Northampton, United Kingdom.
authors: Saul A
authors: SA
authors: Cuttell
authors: Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Victor
authors: V
authors: Kiri
authors: Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Tyler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D011481:Protective Clothing; D013697:Thermosensing / Q000502:physiology; D060726:Torso / Q000502:physiology
keywords: collar; cooling during exercise; exhaustion; thermal sensation, torso; thermoregulation