The effect of pre-cooling or per-cooling in athletes with a spinal cord injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis

O'Brien, Thomas J; Lunt, Kieran M.; Stephenson, Ben T.; Goosey‐Tolfrey, Victoria L.

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2022.02.005

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…This shows that even during low activity levels, the integrated fan cooling system does provide a comparable cooling effect on skin temperature, albeit locally, compared to current cooling techniques used during exercise. 18 Of note, the participants used in the meta-analysis and current study are different, limiting the direct comparison of these data sets. Despite this, the present data indicates that the integrated fan cooling system does provide a significant change to lower back skin temperature, which also impacts user wetness sensation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cooling techniques included in the meta-analysis consisted of ice/ cooling vests, hand, neck and head cooling, ice slurries and water sprays. 18 In the current study the integrated fan cooling system had a large effect (p = 0.01, d = 1.47 and p = 0.009, d = 1.39 from the iButton and infrared image data, respectively) on lower back skin temperature during activity aimed to represent daily pushing activity. This shows that even during low activity levels, the integrated fan cooling system does provide a comparable cooling effect on skin temperature, albeit locally, compared to current cooling techniques used during exercise.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Integrated fan cooling of the lower back for wheelchair users

Griggs

Vanheusden

2022

Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineerin

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Introduction A large proportion of a wheelchair user’s body is in contact with their wheelchair. Integrated fan cooling systems fitted to a wheelchair’s backrest aim to alleviate the build-up of heat at the skin-chair interface. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated fan cooling system at cooling the user during daily pushing activity. Methods Eight male able-bodied participants completed two conditions, with (FAN) and without (CON) fan cooling, pushing for four 15 min blocks. The fan was turned on (highest setting) at the end of block 1 (FAN), whilst in CON the fan remained off. Skin temperature was measured over the back and chest throughout alongside heart rate and perceptual responses (rating of perceived exertion, thermal sensation, thermal comfort, wetness sensation) at the end of each 15 min block. Results Wetness sensation and lower back skin temperature were lower in FAN (both p < 0.02), with the difference in lower back skin temperature between the two conditions being 2.20°C at the end of block 4. Conclusion The integrated fan cooling system provided significant cooling to the lower back without affecting any other physiological or perceptual response, besides wetness sensation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated fan cooling of the lower back for wheelchair users

Griggs

Vanheusden

2022

Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineerin

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“…xercise in a hot environment induces hyperthermia, cardiovascular strain, and thermal discomfort, increasing the risk for exertional heat illness and performance decrements (1). These adverse effects of exercise under heat stress may be attenuated through the use of cooling strategies (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). In individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI), thermoregulatory function is likely altered because the lesion may affect both heat production (through reduced active muscle mass) and heat dissipation (through autonomic disruption) (6,7).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cooling techniques can be used to reduce thermal strain during exercise in individuals with an SCI (3)(4)(5). The majority of studies examined the efficacy of upper-body cooling vests, with contrasting results, whereas, to our knowledge, only one study investigated the effectiveness of lower-body cooling by cooling the feet (3)(4)(5)11). Remarkably, to date, it has not been explored whether leg cooling reduces thermal strain during exercise in individuals with an SCI, even though the lower body may be a more convenient cooling site than the upper body as it would not constrain movement during upper-body exercise.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Upper-Body versus Lower-Body Cooling in Individuals with Paraplegia during Arm-Crank Exercise in the Heat

Alkemade

Eijsvogels

Janssen

et al. 2023

Medicine &Amp; Science in Sports &Amp; Exercise

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Purpose For wheelchair-users with a spinal cord injury, the lower body may be a more convenient cooling site than the upper body. However, it remains unknown if leg cooling reduces thermal strain in these individuals. We compared the impact of upper-body versus lower-body cooling on physiological and perceptual outcomes during submaximal arm-crank exercise under heat stress in individuals with paraplegia. Methods Twelve male participants with paraplegia (T4-L2, 50% complete lesion) performed a maximal exercise test in temperate conditions, and three heat stress tests (32 °C, 40% relative humidity) in which they received upper-body cooling (COOL-UB), lower-body cooling (COOL-LB) or no cooling (CON) in randomized counterbalanced order. Each heat stress test consisted of 4 exercise blocks of 15 min at 50% of peak power output, with 3 min of rest in between. Cooling was applied using water-perfused pads, with 14.8 m tubing in both COOL-UB and COOL-LB. Results Gastrointestinal temperature was 0.2 °C (95%CI: 0.1, 0.3 °C) lower during exercise in COOL-UB versus CON (37.5 ± 0.4 vs. 37.7 ± 0.3 °C, p = 0.009), with no difference between COOL-LB and CON (p = 1.0). Heart rate was lower in both COOL-UB (-7 bpm, 95%CI: -11, -3 bpm, p = 0.01) and COOL-LB (-5 bpm, 95%CI: -9, -1 bpm, p = 0.049) compared to CON. The skin temperature reduction at the cooled skin sites was larger in COOL-LB (-10.8 ± 1.1 °C) than in COOL-UB (-6.7 ± 1.4 °C, p < 0.001), which limited the cooling capacity in COOL-LB. Thermal sensation of the cooled skin sites was improved and overall thermal discomfort was lower in COOL-UB (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04) but not COOL-LB (p = 0.17 and p = 0.59) compared to CON. Conclusions Upper-body cooling more effectively reduced thermal strain than lower-body cooling in individuals with paraplegia, as it induced greater thermophysiological and perceptual benefits.

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