Cooling the head region during exercise can enhance running performance, but this observation is limited to intermittent cooling. This study investigated the effects of continuous head cooling on 5-km running time-trial (TT) performance in hot conditions. Six male and four female triathletes completed two experimental sessions consisting of two 10-minute runs at 50% and 70% V̇O2max followed by a 5-km TT in the heat (32.0±0.3 °C, 50.1±1.2% RH). In a randomized crossover design, either an ice-filled cooling cap or no cooling cap was provided prior to the 10-minute run at 70%V̇O2max. Performance time, rectal, forehead and mean skin temperature, RPE, thermal comfort, fluid loss, blood lactate and heart rate were recorded. Performance time was faster with a cooling cap (1175±80 s) compared to no cooling cap (1189±76 s, P = 0.034; d = 0.18). The cooling cap reduced forehead temperature (P <0.001) and improved thermal comfort (P = 0.004) but had no effect on any other variable (P > 0.05). Continuously cooling the head with an ice-filled cap enhanced 5-km TT performance in the heat. Participants reported an improved thermal comfort with no change in core temperature. Continuously cooling the head may be a practical strategy to enhance running performance in hot conditions.
Keywords: Cooling; heat stress; thermal comfort; thermoregulation.