I remember soccer player and coach Paul Crossley showing us how to pour water on the backs of our necks to stay cool during his soccer camp. Nice to see science catch up. (On a side note, I did not realize that Paul had passed away. I don't know what factors could have contributed to a heart attack in a former pro athlete who was only 48 when he died. But he was a nice guy and I'm saddened to learn of his death.)
"When they drank cold water, their heart rates were lower than when they did not drink. But only when cold water was poured over their heads did the volunteers report feeling blessedly cooler than in the other exercise session. They also said that the workout felt noticeably easier, and their skin temperatures were lower than in other sessions. They did not, however, actually perform better during the five-kilometer time trial, no matter what cooling strategy they employed. Their times were generally equivalent, whether they drank cold water, were doused with it, or neither."
Strategies for Hot-Weather Exercise (Well)
A chilled collar or an icy drink can help keep an athlete cool in hot weather. Dousing the head with water may provide added benefits, a new study found.
Add new comment