Research article - (2022)21, 164 - 170
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2022.164
Ice Ingestion Maintains Cognitive Performance during a Repeated Sprint Performance in The Heat
Nur Shakila Mazalan1,3,, Grant Justin Landers1, Karen Elizabeth Wallman1, Ullrich Ecker2
1School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sports Science), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
2School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
3Faculty of Education, National University of Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Nur Shakila Mazalan
✉ School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sports Science), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
Email: nurshakila.mazalan@research.uwa.edu.au
Received: 26-11-2021 -- Accepted: 08-03-2022
Published (online): 01-06-2022

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effects of precooling via crushed ice ingestion on cognitive performance during repeated-sprint cycling in the heat. Nine males, non-heat acclimatised to heat (mean age: 28.2 ± 2.7 y; height: 175.7 ± 9.7 cm; body-mass: 76.9 ± 10.6 kg) completed a 30 min bout of repeated-sprint (36 × 4 s sprints, interspersed with 56 s rest-breaks) on a cycle ergometer in a climate chamber (35°C, 70% relative humidity). Crushed ice ingestion (7g·kg-1, -0.4°C, ICE) or no cooling (CON) interventions were completed at rest, in the climate chamber, 30 min prior to exercise. Working memory was assessed via the serial seven test (S7) and the automated operation span task (OSPAN) at various time points before, during, and post-exercise. Core body temperature (Tc), forehead temperature (Th), and thermal sensation (TS) were assessed throughout the protocol. Working memory significantly declined during exercise in CON as measured by S7 (p = 0.01) and OSPAN (p = 0.03); however, it was preserved in ICE with no change at the end of exercise in either S7 or OSPAN scores compared to baseline (p = 0.50, p = 0.09, respectively). Following precooling, Th (-0.59°C, p < 0.001) and Tc (-0.67°C, p = 0.005) were significantly decreased in ICE compared to CON. At the end of the exercise, ICE significantly reduced Tc compared to CON (p = 0.03), but no significant differences were recorded for Th. Further, TS was lower following precooling in ICE (p = 0.008) but not during exercise. In conclusion, ice ingestion significantly reduced Th and Tc and facilitated maintenance of cognitive performance during repeated-sprint exercise in the heat, which may lead to better decision making.

Key words: Precooling, cognitive function, team sport, forehead temperature

Key Points
  • Thirty minutes of precooling via crushed ice ingestion able to preserve and maintain cognitive efficiency (working memory) during repeated-sprint exercise in the heat compared to no cooling trial.
  • The preservation and maintenance in cognitive performance is associated with a reduction in T and T following crushed ice ingestion prior to repeated-sprint exercise in the heat.
  • Crushed ice ingestion significantly reduced TS after cooling but the cooling sensation was observed to diminish during the exercise.








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