Effects of a Novel Cooling Shirt on Various Physical Performance Parameters in Elite Athletes
Abstract
Elite athletes, as well as military personnel, are routinely exposed to a variety of high-heat conditions that can ultimately alter judgment and physical performance and even result in death. The reductions in physical performance could severely limit the ability of athletes and soldiers to sustain and satisfactorily continue the high level of performance often required during intense ground operations and sport matches. The primary purpose of this short-term field observation was to determine the effects of a technical cooling shirt and physiological sensor technology in the field on various physiological parameters on Division I collegiate football players. Twelve National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football players, of various positions, were selected to participate in a non-human use field observation to evaluate a novel cooing shirt and Zephyr BioHarness(registered trademark) on eight separate days. The lower leg resistance training sessions' rating of perceived exertion was significantly higher in the "loaded" cooling shirt containing a cooling material than the "unloaded" condition containing no cooling material (p=0.001). In the sprint interval workouts, the athletes in the loaded conditions achieved a higher average sprint speed in comparison to the unloaded conditions (p=0.01). Based on the outcomes of this study, additional field studies are warranted while subjects engage in high-intensity activities. Additionally, future research should be conducted to test the cooling material in varying environments such as dry heat and very hot, humid conditions with the cooling shirt worn alone and with the cooling shirt covered.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 03, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA621654
Entities
People
- Jason Ordway
- Lydia Caldwell
- Molly Wade
- Reginald O Hara
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine