Gonzales, BR, Hagin, V, Guillot, R, Placet, V, and Groslambert, A. Effects of polyester jerseys on psycho-physiological responses during exercise in a hot and moist environment. J Strength Cond Res 25(12): 3432-3438, 2011-With the general acceptance that extreme environments have a detrimental effect on thermoregulation and human performance, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of 3 polyester jerseys with knits of different sizes on physiological and perceptual responses in trained cyclists during exercise performed in a hot and moist environment. Ten trained male cyclists (mean ± SD, age: 29.1 ± 8 years, height: 177.12 ± 5 cm, body mass: 70.10 ± 6 kg), performed 3 tests of 15 minutes at 150 W on a calibrated home trainer by randomly wearing jerseys with small knits (SK), medium knits, and large knits (LK). While exercising, the jersey and torso skin temperatures, perceived exertion and hotness, and heart rate (HR) were continuously recorded. The major results of this study showed that perceived hotness with LK was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than with SK at minutes 10 (effect size [ES] = 1.18) and 12 (ES = 1.04) of exercise. The torso skin temperature with LK was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than with SK at minute 10 (ES = 0.84) and at minute 14 (ES = 0.81) of exercise, and the LK jersey temperature was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than with SK jerseys at minutes 12 (ES = 0.83) and 14 (ES = 0.90) of exercise. However, no significant difference was found in perceived exertion or HR. These results suggest that the use of polyester jerseys with larger knits could limit the drift of skin temperature and therefore increase the thermal comfort of cyclists during exercise performed in a hot and moist environment. Therefore, coaches are encouraged to take particular care that their athletes wear exercise-appropriate clothing in hot temperatures.

Objective: Two methods using exercise and body cooling could influence the well-being of patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). The aim of this study was to determine whether wearing a cooling vest during a physical training program could increase the cognitive and physical capacities and quality of life in PwMS. Methods: Eighteen PwMS (49.6 ± 8 years; Expanded Disability Status Score 5.0 ± 1.0) were randomly assigned to a cooling or control group. PwMS underwent a 7-week physical training program. In the cooling group, PwMS wore a cooling vest during each training session, whereas in the control group, PwMS wore a cotton T-shirt. Before and after the training program, both groups completed the Isaacs Set Test (IST), Trail Making Test A-B (TMT A-B), SEP-59, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory and performed a 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Results: The cooling group showed significantly (p < 0.05) improved performance for IST, TMT A and 6MWT. Their emotional well-being and cognitive functions investigated in SEP-59 were significantly (p < 0.05) improved, and general and physical fatigue significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. Conclusions: This physical training program combined with a cooling strategy could have a significant positive influence on both cognitive and physical performances, perceived fatigue and emotional well-being in heat-sensitive PwMS.

This study assessed whether video self-modeling improves running performance and influences the rate of perceived exertion and heart rate response. Twelve men (M age=26.8 yr., SD=6; M body mass index=22.1 kg.m(-2), SD=1) performed a time to exhaustion running test at 100 percent maximal aerobic velocity while focusing on a video self-modeling loop to synchronize their stride. Compared to the control condition, there was a significant increase of time to exhaustion. Perceived exertion was lower also, but there was no significant change in mean heart rate. In conclusion, the video self-modeling used as a pacer apparently increased endurance by decreasing perceived exertion without affecting the heart rate.

The aim of this case study was to determine whether a sailor's deliberate choice of a conservative strategy to manage sleep deprivation would allow him to cross the Pacific Ocean and to minimize his state of anxiety and perceived fatigue. The participant, who had more than 10 years' sailing experience in severe conditions, was tested on a small catamaran without any living quarters during a solo Pacific Ocean crossing. Estimations of sleep hours, state anxiety, and perceived fatigue were self-reported by the sailor on a daily basis using a specific questionnaire. The most important finding is that the sailor's deliberate sleep strategy, 5.4 h sleep per day (24% less than on-shore), was enough to keep his anxiety and perceived fatigue within acceptable limits and enabled him to achieve his goal, which was the first crossing of the Pacific Ocean on a catamaran of less than 6 m. In conclusion, our results suggest that the sailor observed in the present case study was able to minimize anxiety and perceived fatigue with adequate sleep to optimize his performance, security, and to achieve his goal.

This study assessed whether cognitive stimulations could improve running performance. Nine trained men (22.6 ± 2.1 years old) performed four tests of stamina i) a control test (CT) at 100% of maximal aerobic velocity without any specific attention instructions, ii) a video self modeling test filmed from behind (VB), where runners attended to a video-loop of themselves, iii) a video self modeling test filmed from the front (VF), and iv) a video of landscapes (VL) with music. The results revealed a significant increase (p = .004) of stamina in all video conditions: VB (235 ± 59 s); VF (229 ± 53 s); VL (242 ± 57 s), compared with CT (182 ± 33 s). The results showed that the oxygen consumption was significantly lower (p = .02) in VB. Two distinct processes could explain these results including the active role of mirror neurons and the influence of music.