Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2025
Non-invasive Assessments of Subjective and Objective Recovery Characteristics Following an Exhaustive Jump Protocol
Published on: June 8, 2017
The Effect of Water Dousing on Heat Strain and Performance During Endurance Running in the Heat
Mitchell Anderson1, Clint Bellenger1, Georgia K Chaseling2,3
1Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Objectives:
Assess the effect of water dousing on heat strain and performance during self- and fixed-paced exercise in the heat.
Design:
Crossover, block-randomized controlled trial.
Methods:
Thirteen trained runners completed a 10-km time trial (TT) and 60-minute fixed-pace run (60% velocity of V˙O2max) in a 30.4 °C, 47.4% relative humidity environment using either water dousing (DOUSE) or no dousing (CON).
Results:
Ten-kilometer TT performance was faster in DOUSE compared to CON (44:11 [40:48, 47:34] vs 44:38 [41:21, 47:56] min:s; P = .033). Change in core temperature (Tc) was not different between groups during the TT (+0.02 [-0.04, 0.07] °C in DOUSE; P = .853) or fixed-pace run (+0.02 [-0.15, 0.18] °C; P = .848). Change in mean skin temperature was lower in DOUSE during the TT (-1.80 [-2.15, -1.46] °C; P < .001) and fixed-pace run (-1.38 [-1.81, -0.96] °C; P < .001). Heart rate was lower for DOUSE during the fixed-pace run (-3.5 [-6.8, -0.2] beats/min; P = .041) but not during the TT (-0.2 [-2.5, 2.1] beats/min; P = .853). Thermal sensation was lower for DOUSE during the TT (-49.3 [-72.1, -26.1] mm; P < .001) and fixed-pace run (-44.7 [-59.7, -29.6] mm; P < .001). Rating of perceived exertion was not different between groups for the TT (-0.2 [-0.7, 0.3]; P = .390) or fixed-pace run (-0.2 [-0.8, 0.4]; P = .480). Sweat rate was lower for DOUSE for the TT (-0.37 [-0.53, -0.22] L/h; P < .001) and fixed-pace run (-0.37 [-0.48, -0.26] L/h; P < .001).
Conclusion:
Water dousing improves 10-km TT performance in the heat but does not affect Tc. The positive change in thermal perception (via lower skin temperature) during the TT likely drives this benefit.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Role of Water in Human Biology
Water's Solvent Properties
Since water is a polar molecule with slightly positive and slightly negative charges, ions and polar molecules can readily dissolve in it. Therefore, it is referred to as a solvent, a...
01:14Mechanisms 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...
02:41Responses to Drought and Flooding
01:27Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
01:18Vaporization
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...