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Duration-dependant response of mixed-method pre-cooling for intermittent-sprint exercise in the heat

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Abstract

This study examined the effects of pre-cooling duration on performance and neuromuscular function for self-paced intermittent-sprint shuttle running in the heat. Eight male, team-sport athletes completed two 35-min bouts of intermittent-sprint shuttle running separated by a 15-min recovery on three separate occasions (33°C, 34% relative humidity). Mixed-method pre-cooling was completed for 20 min (COOL20), 10-min (COOL10) or no cooling (CONT) and reapplied for 5-min mid-exercise. Performance was assessed via sprint times, percentage decline and shuttle-running distance covered. Maximal voluntary contractions (MVC), voluntary activation (VA) and evoked twitch properties were recorded pre- and post-intervention and mid- and post-exercise. Core temperature (T c), skin temperature, heart rate, capillary blood metabolites, sweat losses, perceptual exertion and thermal stress were monitored throughout. Venous blood draws pre- and post-exercise were analyzed for muscle damage and inflammation markers. Shuttle-running distances covered were increased 5.2 ± 3.3% following COOL20 (P < 0.05), with no differences observed between COOL10 and CONT (P > 0.05). COOL20 aided in the maintenance of mid- and post-exercise MVC (P < 0.05; d > 0.80), despite no conditional differences in VA (P > 0.05). Pre-exercise T c was reduced by 0.15 ± 0.13°C with COOL20 (P < 0.05; d > 1.10), and remained lower throughout both COOL20 and COOL10 compared to CONT (P < 0.05; d > 0.80). Pre-cooling reduced sweat losses by 0.4 ± 0.3 kg (P < 0.02; d > 1.15), with COOL20 0.2 ± 0.4 kg less than COOL10 (P = 0.19; d = 1.01). Increased pre-cooling duration lowered physiological demands during exercise heat stress and facilitated the maintenance of self-paced intermittent-sprint performance in the heat. Importantly, the dose-response interaction of pre-cooling and sustained neuromuscular responses may explain the improved exercise performance in hot conditions.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Cricket Australia for their financial support of this study. Further, we thank Wayne Everingham (School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, Australia) and Brian Heffernan (Central West Pathology Service, Bathurst Base Hospital, NSW, Australia) for their valued assistance with immunoassay procedures.

Conflict of interest

MP is an employee of Cricket Australia. There are no conflicts of interest for any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Human Movement Studies, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst, NSW,, 2795, Australia

    Geoffrey M. Minett, Rob Duffield & Frank E. Marino

  2. Sport Science Sport Medicine Unit, Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence, Albion, QLD, Australia

    Marc Portus

  3. Praxis Sport Science, Paddington, QLD, Australia

    Marc Portus

Authors
  1. Geoffrey M. Minett
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  2. Rob Duffield
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  3. Frank E. Marino
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  4. Marc Portus
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Geoffrey M. Minett.

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Communicated by George Havenith.

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Minett, G.M., Duffield, R., Marino, F.E. et al. Duration-dependant response of mixed-method pre-cooling for intermittent-sprint exercise in the heat. Eur J Appl Physiol 112, 3655–3666 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2348-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2348-2

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