Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Non-invasive Assessments of Subjective and Objective Recovery Characteristics Following an Exhaustive Jump Protocol
Published on: June 8, 2017
Reduction in body temperature using hand cooling versus passive rest after exercise in the heat
William M Adams1, Yuri Hosokawa1, Elizabeth L Adams2
1Korey Stringer Institute, Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, United States.
Objectives:
To examine the effects of hydration and hand cooling on lowering body temperature after exercise in the heat.
Design:
Randomized cross-over design.
Methods:
Nine recreationally active male participants (mean±SD; age, 24±4; height, 177.3±9.9cm; body mass, 76.7±11.6kg; body fat, 14.7±5.8%) completed a bout of treadmill exercise in a hot environment. After completion of exercise, participants were assigned to the following trials for post-exercise cooling: (1) hydrated with passive rest (HY), (2) hydrated with hand cooling on both hands (HY+2HC), (3) dehydrated with passive rest (DY), and (4) dehydrated with hand cooling on both hands (DY+2HC). Within subject differences were assessed using a three-way (Hydration×Condition×Time) repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc analysis if significant interactions were found.
Results:
Irrespective of hydration status, hand cooling on both hands resulted in significantly greater reductions in TREC than passive cooling at minute 20 (0.27°C [0.05, 0.49], ES=2.08, p=0.017) (Fig. 1). The reduction in TREC at minute 18 trended towards statistical significance (0.21°C [.003, .42], ES=1.59, p=0.053). Hydration status alone and when differentiated among modes of cooling showed no differences on changes of TREC or heart rate across all conditions during post exercise recovery (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
Hand cooling on both hands reduced TREC more than passive cooling, however, the cooling rates observed render hand cooling a poor option for cooling. Greater reductions in TREC after exercise or between bouts of exercise may enhance recovery and subsequent performance.
Related Concept Videos
Decreased Body Temperature
Mechanism of heat transfer
Mechanisms of Heat Transfer
Conduction, accounting for approximately 3% of body heat loss at rest, is the process of exchanging heat between molecules of two materials in direct contact. This can result in both heat loss and gain. For instance, when the body is submerged in water, which conducts heat 20 times more effectively than air, it can either lose or gain significant...
Body Temperature
Body Temperature
The average body temperature is approximately 37°C (98.6°F) and typically ranges from 36.1–37.2°C...
Methods of reducing fever
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:

