A Mixed-Method Approach of Pre-Cooling Enhances High-Intensity Running Performance in the Heat

We investigated whether single or combined methods of pre-cooling could affect high-intensity exercise performance in a hot environment. Seven male athletes were subjected to four experimental conditions for 30 min randomised order. The were: 1) wearing vest cooled temperature 4 ? (Vest), 2) consuming beverage (Beverage), 3) simultaneous usage and consumption (Mix), 4) the control trial without (CON). Following those conditions, they exercised at speed 80% VO2max until exhaustion heat (38.1 ± 0.6 ?, 55.3 0.3% RH). Heart rate (HR), rectal (Tcore), skin (Tskin), sweat loss (SL), urine specific gravity (USG), levels sodium (Na+) potassium (K+), rating perceived exertion (RPE), thermal sensation (TS), blood lactic acid ([Bla]) monitored. Performance was improved using mixed strategy (648.43 77.53 s, p = 0.016) compared CON (509.14 54.57 s). Tcore after not different (Mix: 37.01 0.27 Vest: 37.19 0.33 Beverage: 37.03 0.35 ?) all cooling (37.31 ±0.29 ?). A similar values achieved trials (from 38.10 39.00 No difference level USG observed between conditions. Our findings suggest that with combination cold fluid intake can improve heat.