Head, Face, and Neck Cooling for Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Study Details
This new meta-analysis compiled data from 63 studies (618 participants) to establish the effects of head, face, and neck on physical and cognitive performance π
Here are the key findings β¬οΈ
Key Findings
Physical Performance πββοΈ
π« Nil to medium beneficial effects for endurance
β No harmful effects
π§ No cooling strategy was superior to another
Cognitive Performance π§
β Could not be determined with meta-analysis
β No effect on most outcomes
π§© Some evidence of improved working memory
Physiological and Perceptual Responsesπ«
π‘οΈ Large effect on skin temperature at the target site
π Improved thermal sensation and comfort
β Negligible effects on heart rate and core temperature
Adverse Events β οΈ
π Only 3 incidents reported in 63 studies
1 incident of cooling intolerance
2 incidents likely unrelated to cooling
β No reports of cooling causing heat injury
Important Notes π
βοΈ Present evidence is predominantly male (87% male, 13% female)
π©βπ¬ More research on female athletes is needed for best practice recommendations
π« No current evidence of detrimental or harmful effects of cooling on performance, physiology, or cognition, despite perceptual improvements in thermal discomfort
Recommendations β
π Pilot methods, doses, and timings in training
π Try to maximise the perceptual effects
π Ensure strategy is legal with sport regulations
ConsiderationsβοΈ
β There may be no effect
π§ Some strategies may be intolerable
π¦ Some strategies may not be logistically feasible
Conclusion
Cooling strategies may be useful to enhance performance, but evidence suggests that responses can be highly individuals π¬
Test them out, find what works and think about how easy they are to implement when required β
Reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40355096/
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