Research article - (2018)17, 485 - 491
Effects of Half-Time Cooling Using A Cooling Glove and Jacket on Manual Dexterity and Repeated-Sprint Performance in Heat
Tessa Maroni1,, Brian Dawson1, Myles Dennis1, Louise Naylor1, Carly Brade2, Karen Wallman1
1School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sports Science), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
2School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia

Tessa Maroni
✉ School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sports Science), M408, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
Email: tessa.maroni@research.uwa.edu.au
Received: 16-05-2018 -- Accepted: 27-07-2018
Published (online): 14-08-2018

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to assess the separate and combined effects of a cooling glove (CG) and a gel-cooling jacket (CJ) used during a half-time break on manual dexterity performance (Purdue Pegboard test) and subsequent repeat-sprint cycling performance in hot conditions. Twelve male athletes performed four experimental trials (within subjects, counterbalanced design) that consisted of: wearing a CG, wearing a CJ, combination of CG and CJ (CG+J) or a no-cooling control (NC) for 15 min during a 20 min half-time break performed between 2 x 30 min repeated-sprint cycling bouts in heat (35.0 ± 1.2°C and 52.5 ± 7.4% RH). Manual dexterity (dominant and non-dominant hand) was assessed immediately before and after the first-half of exercise, then immediately after cooling and the second-half of exercise. No differences were found for manual dexterity performance between trials or over time (p > 0.05). Additionally, no differences were found for power and work performance variables assessed during the second-half of exercise (p > 0.05), however participants felt ‘cooler’ wearing CG+J compared to NC (Thermal Sensation scale; p = 0.041). Further, no differences were found between trials for changes in gastrointestinal core temperature for any time period assessed (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the cooling trials did not affect manual dexterity or second-half repeated-sprint cycling performance compared to NC.

Key words: Core temperature, cooling modalities, cycling performance, Purdue pegboard test

Key Points
  • Cooling with a cooling glove or jacket, alone or in combination, during a half time break did not further significantly decrease core temperature compared to no cooling.
  • Cooling did not improve second half repeated-sprint cycle performance.
  • The cooling glove did not impair manual dexterity performance of the dominant hand, which is important for skills involving use of this hand.








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