1
|
Lôbo ILB, Wanner SP, Guerreiro RDC, Coelho BLP, Coimbra FEDS, Martins MEM, Duarte LCDA, Stieler E, de Mello MT, Silva A. Effects of two external cooling strategies on physiological and perceptual responses of athletes with tetraplegia during and after exercise in the heat. J Therm Biol 2024; 123:103896. [PMID: 38906048 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2024.103896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Athletes with tetraplegia may experience marked hyperthermia while exercising under environmental heat stress due to their limited ability to dissipate heat through evaporative means. This study investigated the effectiveness of two external cooling strategies (i.e., spraying water onto the body surface or using a cooling vest) on physiological and perceptual variables in tetraplegic athletes during and after an aerobic exercise session in a hot environment. Nine male wheelchair rugby players performed an incremental test to determine their maximum aerobic power output. After that, they were subjected to three experimental trials in a counter-balanced order: control (CON, no body cooling), cooling vest (CV), and water spraying (WS). During these trials, they performed 30 min of a submaximal exercise (at 65% of their maximum aerobic power) inside an environmental chamber set to maintain the dry-bulb temperature at 32 °C. The following variables were recorded at regular intervals during the exercise and for an additional 30 min following the exertion (i.e., post-exercise recovery) with the participants also exposed to 32 °C: body core temperature (TCORE), skin temperature (TSKIN), heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal comfort (TC), and thermal sensation (TS). While exercising in CON conditions, the tetraplegic athletes had the expected increases in TCORE, TSKIN, HR, RPE, and TC and TS scores. HR, TC, and TS decreased gradually toward pre-exercise values after the exercise, whereas TCORE and TSKIN remained stable at higher values. Using a cooling vest decreased the temperature measured only on the chest and reduced the scores of RPE, TC, and TS during and after exercise but did not influence the other physiological responses of the tetraplegic athletes. In contrast, spraying water onto the athletes' body surface attenuated the exercise-induced increase in TSKIN, led to lower HR values during recovery, and was also associated with better perception during and after exercise. We conclude that water spraying is more effective than the cooling vest in attenuating physiological strain induced by exercise-heat stress. However, although both external cooling strategies do not influence exercise hyperthermia, they improve the athletes' thermal perception and reduce perceived exertion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Ludimila Bastos Lôbo
- Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (CEPE/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências do Movimento Humano of the Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais (DCMH/UEMG), Ibirité, MG, Brazil.
| | - Samuel Penna Wanner
- Laboratório de Fisiologia do Exercício of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (LAFISE/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Renato de Carvalho Guerreiro
- Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (CEPE/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Bruno Lourenço Pinto Coelho
- Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (CEPE/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | | | - Maria Eduarda Machado Martins
- Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (CEPE/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Larissa Cristina de Abreu Duarte
- Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (CEPE/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Eduardo Stieler
- Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (CEPE/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Marco Túlio de Mello
- Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (CEPE/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Andressa Silva
- Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (CEPE/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
ALKEMADE PUCK, EIJSVOGELS THIJSMH, JANSSEN THOMASWJ, JANSEN KASPARMB, KINGMA BORISRM, DAANEN HEINAM. Upper-Body versus Lower-Body Cooling in Individuals with Paraplegia during Arm-Crank Exercise in the Heat. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2023; 55:2014-2024. [PMID: 37418241 PMCID: PMC10581408 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000003244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE For wheelchair users with a spinal cord injury, the lower body may be a more convenient cooling site than the upper body. However, it remains unknown if leg cooling reduces thermal strain in these individuals. We compared the impact of upper-body versus lower-body cooling on physiological and perceptual outcomes during submaximal arm-crank exercise under heat stress in individuals with paraplegia. METHODS Twelve male participants with paraplegia (T4-L2, 50% complete lesion) performed a maximal exercise test in temperate conditions, and three heat stress tests (32°C, 40% relative humidity) in which they received upper-body cooling (COOL-UB), lower-body cooling (COOL-LB), or no cooling (CON) in a randomized counterbalanced order. Each heat stress test consisted of four exercise blocks of 15 min at 50% of peak power output, with 3 min of rest in between. Cooling was applied using water-perfused pads, with 14.8-m tubing in both COOL-UB and COOL-LB. RESULTS Gastrointestinal temperature was 0.2°C (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.1°C to 0.3°C) lower during exercise in COOL-UB versus CON (37.5°C ± 0.4°C vs 37.7°C ± 0.3°C, P = 0.009), with no difference between COOL-LB and CON ( P = 1.0). Heart rate was lower in both COOL-UB (-7 bpm; 95% CI, -11 to -3 bpm; P = 0.01) and COOL-LB (-5 bpm; 95% CI, -9 to -1 bpm; P = 0.049) compared with CON. The skin temperature reduction at the cooled skin sites was larger in COOL-LB (-10.8°C ± 1.1°C) than in COOL-UB (-6.7°C ± 1.4°C, P < 0.001), which limited the cooling capacity in COOL-LB. Thermal sensation of the cooled skin sites was improved and overall thermal discomfort was lower in COOL-UB ( P = 0.01 and P = 0.04) but not in COOL-LB ( P = 0.17 and P = 0.59) compared with CON. CONCLUSIONS Upper-body cooling more effectively reduced thermal strain than lower-body cooling in individuals with paraplegia, as it induced greater thermophysiological and perceptual benefits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- PUCK ALKEMADE
- Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
| | - THIJS M. H. EIJSVOGELS
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department of Physiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, THE NETHERLANDS
| | - THOMAS W. J. JANSSEN
- Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
- Amsterdam Institute of Sport Science, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
| | - KASPAR M. B. JANSEN
- Department of Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, THE NETHERLANDS
| | - BORIS R. M. KINGMA
- Department Human Performance, Unit Defence, Safety and Security, TNO, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Sciences, Soesterberg, THE NETHERLANDS
| | - HEIN A. M. DAANEN
- Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
- Amsterdam Institute of Sport Science, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Alkemade P, Daanen HAM, Janssen TWJ, Broad E, Goosey-Tolfrey VL, Ibusuki T, Kneepkens H, Périard JD, Eijsvogels TMH. Heat preparedness and exertional heat illness in Paralympic athletes: A Tokyo 2020 survey. Temperature (Austin) 2022; 10:264-275. [PMID: 37332304 PMCID: PMC10274519 DOI: 10.1080/23328940.2022.2147364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Paralympic athletes may be at increased risk for exertional heat illness (EHI) due to reduced thermoregulatory ability as a consequence of their impairment. This study investigated the occurrence of heat-stress related symptoms and EHI, and the use of heat mitigation strategies in Paralympic athletes, both in relation to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and previous events. Paralympic athletes competing in Tokyo 2020 were invited to complete an online survey five weeks prior to the Paralympics and up to eight weeks after the Games. 107 athletes (30 [24-38] years, 52% female, 20 nationalities, 21 sports) completed the survey. 57% of respondents had previously experienced heat-stress related symptoms, while 9% had been medically diagnosed with EHI. In Tokyo, 21% experienced at least one heat-stress related symptom, while none reported an EHI. The most common symptom and EHI were, respectively, dizziness and dehydration. In preparation for Tokyo, 58% of respondents used a heat acclimation strategy, most commonly heat acclimatization, which was more than in preparation for previous events (45%; P = 0.007). Cooling strategies were used by 77% of athletes in Tokyo, compared to 66% during past events (P = 0.18). Cold towels and packs were used most commonly. Respondents reported no medically-diagnosed EHIs during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, despite the hot and humid conditions in the first seven days of competition. Heat acclimation and cooling strategies were used by the majority of athletes, with heat acclimation being adopted more often than for previous competitions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Puck Alkemade
- Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hein A. M. Daanen
- Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas W. J. Janssen
- Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Victoria L. Goosey-Tolfrey
- Centre for Disability Sport, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LeicestershireLE11 3TU, UK
| | - Tatsuru Ibusuki
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Akeno Central Hospital, Oita, Japan
| | - Hiske Kneepkens
- Sport Medisch Centrum Papendal, NOC*NSF, Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - Julien D. Périard
- University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, Bruce, New south wales, Australia
| | - Thijs M. H. Eijsvogels
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department of Physiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Griggs KE, Vanheusden FJ. Integrated fan cooling of the lower back for wheelchair users. J Rehabil Assist Technol Eng 2022; 9:20556683221126994. [PMID: 36118615 PMCID: PMC9478711 DOI: 10.1177/20556683221126994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction A large proportion of a wheelchair user’s body is in contact with their wheelchair.
Integrated fan cooling systems fitted to a wheelchair’s backrest aim to alleviate the
build-up of heat at the skin-chair interface. The aim of this pilot study was to
evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated fan cooling system at cooling the user
during daily pushing activity. Methods Eight male able-bodied participants completed two conditions, with (FAN) and without
(CON) fan cooling, pushing for four 15 min blocks. The fan was turned on (highest
setting) at the end of block 1 (FAN), whilst in CON the fan remained off. Skin
temperature was measured over the back and chest throughout alongside heart rate and
perceptual responses (rating of perceived exertion, thermal sensation, thermal comfort,
wetness sensation) at the end of each 15 min block. Results Wetness sensation and lower back skin temperature were lower in FAN (both
p < 0.02), with the difference in lower back skin temperature
between the two conditions being 2.20°C at the end of block 4. Conclusion The integrated fan cooling system provided significant cooling to the lower back
without affecting any other physiological or perceptual response, besides wetness
sensation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katy E Griggs
- Department of Engineering, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Frederique J Vanheusden
- Department of Engineering, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ice Slurry Ingestion Lowers Thermoregulatory Strain in Wheelchair Tennis Players During Repeated Sprint Intervals in the Heat. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2022; 17:1748-1755. [DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2022-0174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: To examine the efficacy of per-cooling via ice slurry ingestion (ICE) in wheelchair tennis players exercising in the heat. Method: Eight wheelchair tennis players undertook sprints (4 sets of 10 × 5 s over 40 min) in a hot environment (∼32 °C), interspersed by 3 boluses of 2.67 g·kg (6.8 g·kg total) ICE or drinking temperate water (control condition). Athletes performed an on-court test of repeated sprint ability (20 × 20 m) in temperate conditions immediately before and 20 minutes after the heat exposure, and time to complete each sprint as well as intermediate times were recorded. Gastrointestinal and weighted mean skin and forehead temperatures were collected throughout the heat exposure, as were thermal sensation, heart rate, and blood lactate concentration. Sweat rate was calculated from body mass changes and fluid/ice intakes. Results: Compared with the control condition, ICE resulted in a significantly lower gastrointestinal temperature (95% CI, 0.11–0.17 °C; P < .001), forehead temperature (0.58–1.06 °C; P < .001), thermal sensation (0.07–0.50 units; P = .017), and sweat rate (0.06–0.46 L·h−1; P = .017). Skin temperature, heart rate, and blood lactate concentration were not significantly different between conditions (P ≥ .598). There was no overall change preheating to postheating (P ≥ .114) or an effect of condition (P ≥ .251) on repeated sprint times. Conclusions: ICE is effective at lowering objective and subjective thermal strain when consumed between sets of repeated wheelchair sprints in the heat. However, ICE has no effect on on-court repeated 20-m sprint performance.
Collapse
|