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 endurancebasedathletes/support staff. Understanding current knowledge of modalities andprevalence of exertional heat illnesses and other heat prevention strategies. Athletes(n = 65) and support staff (n = 12) completed a questionnaire regarding: generalparticipant information; training and competition in the heat; heat illnesses; coolingmodalities; 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 mostreported for pre-competition (22%), pre-training (~14%), per-competition (23%) andper-training (26%), likely as it was accessible and easy to administer. However,support staff suggested a more varied use of cooling modalities throughout comparedwith athletes. Further, athletes suggest short application of cooling time both pre-(35%) and per-exercise (74%), aligning with cold-water ingestion application. Athletesand support staff presented good knowledge, all support staff and the majority ofathletes agreeing that cooling is helpful when exercising in the heat. Future researchshould address the relationship between exertional heat illnesses and type of coolingmodalities, which target physiological or perceptual responses.

Date of Award	14 Oct 2019
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bedfordshire
Supervisor	Jeffrey Aldous (Supervisor) & Louise Ferrandino (Second supervisor)