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Gatterer H, Dünnwald T, Turner R, Csapo R, Schobersberger W, Burtscher M, Faulhaber M, Kennedy MD. Practicing Sport in Cold Environments: Practical Recommendations to Improve Sport Performance and Reduce Negative Health Outcomes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:9700. [PMID: 34574624 PMCID: PMC8471173 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although not a barrier to perform sport, cold weather environments (low ambient temperature, high wind speeds, and increased precipitation, i.e., rain/water/snow) may influence sport performance. Despite the obvious requirement for practical recommendations and guidelines to better facilitate training and competition in such cold environments, the current scientific evidence-base is lacking. Nonetheless, this review summarizes the current available knowledge specifically related to the physiological impact of cold exposure, in an attempt to provide practitioners and coaches alike with practical recommendations to minimize any potential negative performance effects, mitigate health issues, and best optimize athlete preparation across various sporting disciplines. Herein, the review is split into sections which explore some of the key physiological effects of cold exposure on performance (i.e., endurance exercise capacity and explosive athletic power), potential health issues (short-term and long-term), and what is currently known with regard to best preparation or mitigation strategies considered to negate the potential negative effects of cold on performance. Specific focus is given to "winter" sports that are usually completed in cold environments and practical recommendations for physical preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Gatterer
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, 39100 Bolzano, Italy;
| | - Tobias Dünnwald
- Institute for Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine and Health Tourism (ISAG), UMIT, Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, 6060 Hall i.T., Tirol, Austria and Tirol-Kliniken GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (T.D.); (W.S.)
| | - Rachel Turner
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, 39100 Bolzano, Italy;
| | - Robert Csapo
- Centre for Sport Science and University Sports, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Wolfgang Schobersberger
- Institute for Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine and Health Tourism (ISAG), UMIT, Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, 6060 Hall i.T., Tirol, Austria and Tirol-Kliniken GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (T.D.); (W.S.)
- Austrian Society for Alpine and High-Altitude Medicine, 6414 Mieming, Austria; (M.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Martin Burtscher
- Austrian Society for Alpine and High-Altitude Medicine, 6414 Mieming, Austria; (M.B.); (M.F.)
- Department of Sport Science, University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Martin Faulhaber
- Austrian Society for Alpine and High-Altitude Medicine, 6414 Mieming, Austria; (M.B.); (M.F.)
- Department of Sport Science, University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael D. Kennedy
- Athlete Health Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
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