Chemically Activated Cooling Vest's Effect on Cooling Rate Following Exercise-Induced Hyperthermia: A Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Environmental Physiology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a life-threatening condition requiring rapid cooling.
• Established cooling criteria for EHS treatment include a rate of 0.15 °C·min⁻¹ or greater.
• Portable cooling vests are a potential alternative to traditional cooling methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the cooling efficacy of a portable cooling vest compared to passive rest for EHS.
• To determine if the cooling vest meets the established criteria for EHS treatment.
• To investigate the influence of sex and body mass on cooling rates.

Main Methods:

• Fourteen participants exercised in a hot chamber until rectal temperature exceeded 39°C.
• Participants were then cooled using either a cooling vest or passive rest until rectal temperature reached 38.25°C.
• A randomized, counter-balanced crossover design was employed.

Main Results:

• The cooling vest (0.06 ± 0.02 °C·min⁻¹) resulted in a significantly greater cooling rate than passive rest (0.04 ± 0.01 °C·min⁻¹).
• Cooling duration was significantly faster with the vest and in female participants compared to males.
• Increased body mass was associated with decreased cooling rates during passive rest.

Conclusions:

• While the cooling vest enhanced cooling compared to passive rest, its rate was insufficient for EHS treatment.
• The cooling vest should not substitute immediate whole-body cold-water immersion for suspected EHS.
• Further research may explore optimized cooling vest designs or adjunct therapies.