13.06.2006
Applying ice-packs to thigh muscles before sprinting in hot conditions improves athletes' performance by 4%. This is according to research carried out by the University of Brighton and published in the Journal of Applied Physiology in June.
With temperatures reaching well above 30°C in Germany - this research could prove crucial for Sven and his squad and stop them from literally boiling over.
The idea of pre-cooling (cooling the body before exercise) is accepted for endurance sport such as marathons but this is the first time the benefits to sprinting have been reported in hot conditions.
Researcher at the university - Paul Castle compared the effects of three different pre-cooling strategies prior to four sessions of intermittent sprinting, each lasting for 40 minute bursts. Twelve rugby and football players were either pre-cooled by wearing an ice vest, immersed in cold water, applied ice-packs to their thighs or were not pre-cooled at all and exercised, all in the university's environmental chamber set at 30oC.
Ice packs on the thighs, the ice vest and the ice tank.
Results showed that by pre-cooling the thighs with ice-packs the athletes' performance improved - it also reduced muscle temperate and the impact of heat strain on the body.
The study centres on the idea that hot ambient conditions, like those in Germany at the moment speed up chemical reactions in the muscles which allows footballers to run faster but also to tire at a faster rate. Pre-cooling the thighs helped to prevent this and therefore, improved performance.
This research could be useful for Sven and his men who are suffering in the heat, particularly towards the end of each half when they will be feeling their hottest and most fatigued.
Paul Castle found similar results previously and worked alongside the British Paralympic Association in preparation for the Athens Paralympic Games in 2004.
Paul said: "This technique has a real practical application to improve the performance of athletes. It helps them cope with heat and feel more comfortable, the combination of which could make the difference between a win and a draw for England's World Cup squad, or between a gold and silver medal in the Beijing 2008 Paralympics/Olympics."
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
