The perceptions and use of cooling modalities by athletes, coaches, and support staff in endurance-based sports.
Abstract
The study aimed to investigate what, when and how modalities are used by endurancebased athletes/support staff. Understanding current knowledge of modalities and prevalence of exertional heat illnesses and other heat prevention strategies. Athletes (n = 65) and support staff (n = 12) completed a questionnaire regarding: general participant information; training and competition in the heat; heat illnesses; cooling modalities; and perceptions of cooling modalities and exercise in the heat. Only 12% of athletes reported being diagnosed with exertional heat illness, although 61% reported had experienced one or more symptoms. Cold-water ingestion was the most reported for pre-competition (22%), pre-training (~14%), per-competition (23%) and per-training (26%), likely as it was accessible and easy to administer. However, support staff suggested a more varied use of cooling modalities throughout compared with athletes. Further, athletes suggest short application of cooling time both pre- (35%) and per-exercise (74%), aligning with cold-water ingestion application. Athletes and support staff presented good knowledge, all support staff and the majority of athletes agreeing that cooling is helpful when exercising in the heat. Future research should address the relationship between exertional heat illnesses and type of cooling modalities, which target physiological or perceptual responses.Citation
Bousfield, E. (2019) 'The perceptions and use of cooling modalities by athletes, coaches, and support staff in endurance-based sports'. MSc By Research thesis. University of Bedfordshire.Publisher
University of BedfordshireType
Thesis or dissertationLanguage
enDescription
A thesis submitted to the University of Bedfordshire, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MSc by Research Degree in Exercise and Environmental Physiology.Collections
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