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Face Cooling During Swimming Training in Tropical Condition
Florence Riera1,2, Roland Monjo1, Guillaume R Coudevylle1
1Laboratory ACTES, UPRES-EA 3596, University of the French West Indies, Point-à-Pitre, France.
Frontiers in Psychology
|May 10, 2021
Summary
Face cooling with cold water during high-intensity swimming training did not alter core body temperature or heart rate but improved thermal comfort. Cold water face cooling may psychologically impact performance, reducing mean velocity despite similar physiological responses.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Environmental Physiology
Background:
- Maintaining thermal homeostasis is crucial for endurance athletes during high-intensity training.
- Face cooling is a potential strategy to mitigate heat stress and improve thermal comfort.
- Understanding the physiological and perceptual responses to face cooling in elite swimmers is important for optimizing training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of cold water face cooling versus neutral water face cooling on core temperature, heart rate, and thermal perceptions during high-intensity swimming.
- To assess the impact of face cooling on swimming velocity and overall performance.
Main Methods:
- Eight elite long-distance swimmers (5 men, 3 women) participated in two randomized swimming sessions.
- During high-intensity training, swimmers applied cold (1.2°C) or neutral (28°C) water to their face.
- Core temperature, heart rate, thermal comfort, and thermal sensation were measured, alongside swimming velocity.
Main Results:
- Cold water face cooling resulted in significantly lower mean swimming velocity compared to neutral water cooling.
- No significant differences were observed in core body temperature or heart rate between the two conditions.
- Swimmers reported significantly higher thermal comfort and lower thermal sensation with cold water face cooling.
Conclusions:
- Cold water face cooling during high-intensity swimming training does not significantly alter core temperature or heart rate in elite swimmers.
- While cold water face cooling improves thermal comfort and sensation, it may lead to a reduction in swimming velocity, possibly due to psychological factors.
- The findings suggest a complex interplay between physiological and psychological responses to thermal interventions in athletes.
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