NCT05302739

The Effects of Facial Cooling on Fencing Performance

The Effects of Facial Cooling on Physiological and Perceptual Responses During Simulated Competition in Male Epee Fencers

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 10 (estimated)
• Sponsor: St Mary's University College · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Fencing competitions can last between nine and eleven hours, during which athletes wear layers of protective equipment that impair evaporative heat transfer and spend a large amount of time at exercise intensities \> 85% maximum heart rate. Fencing performance can potentially contribute to heat stress due to increases in core temperature. Elevated core temperatures could hamper performance, and therefore the implementation of a strategy to reduce core temperature increases could lead to augmented fencing performance. Cooling methods are limited for use between fencing matches and during short breaks within a direct elimination match. Furthermore, due to multiple layers of thick protective equipment cooling method applications are limited primarily to the facial area. A potential cooling strategy, during fencing competition, includes the utilization of a water facial mist spray combined with fanning of the face. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the novel use of facial cooling on core temperature, relevant physiological parameters, perceived exertion and thermal comfort and sensation during a simulated fencing competition performance, in male epee fencers.

Conditions

• Hyperthermia

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Facial cooling	30 s of water mist sprayed onto the face during breaks in a simulated fencing competition

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-04-20
• Primary completion: 2022-08-31
• Completion: 2022-09-26
• First posted: 2022-03-31
• Last updated: 2022-03-31