Effects of head cooling on cardiovascular and body temperature responses during submaximal exercise

Cardiovascular and body temperature responses during submaximal exercise (25% and 50% VO2max) were investigated using female subjects (n = 6) in two separate experiments; one with head cooling and heating and the other with torso heating with and without head cooling. To supply the heat load, a liquid conditioned cap and vest were used. In the first experiment, a significant decrease in heart rate, oxygen intake (VO2) and cardiac output (Q) at relative work intensity of 50% VO2max was observed by head cooling. These results show that head cooling is very effective to reduce the physiological strain. In the second experiment, Q as a function of VO2 during torso heating was decreased by head cooling. However, the tympanic membrane temperature during head cooling at 15 degrees C was significantly higher than that at 20 degrees C and it was almost the same level with torso heating without head cooling. The results suggest that excess head cooling is not beneficial in terms of improving the body heat dissipation.