Pre-Cooling for Performance in the Heat

摘要

Early research in the area of precooling for performance enhancement began in the 1950's. Much of that research was not done in hot conditions and showed mixed results with some improved, some no effect, and some worsened performances (6). In the last 20 years, pre cooling athletes before competition in heat to improve performance has generated more attention and more support in the science and athlete communities. Olympic Games venues like 1996 in Atlanta, USA, 2004 in Athens, Greece, and 2008 in Beijing, China are in geographically hot areas and have focus attention on performance in the heat (9). The USA marathon team used precooling for the 2004 Athens Olympics and produced medals in both the men's and women's competitions for the first time in many years.