The Effects of Facial Cooling on Fencing Performance

Hyperthermia Clinical Trial

Official title:

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

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Not yet recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT05302739
• Other study ID #: StMarysUC3
• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: April 20, 2022
• Est. completion date: September 26, 2022

Study information

• Verified date: March 2022
• Source: St Mary's University College
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial 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.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Enrollment: 10
• Est. completion date: September 26, 2022
• Est. primary completion date: August 31, 2022
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Male
• Age group: 18 Years to 60 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Trained fencers

Exclusion Criteria:

• Injured or a contraindicative medical condition

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Fever
• Hyperthermia

Intervention

Other:
• Facial cooling
30 s of water mist sprayed onto the face during breaks in a simulated fencing competition

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
St Mary's University College

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Tympanic temperature	Change from baseline in tympanic temperature taken during each 60 s break within the simulated fencing bout protocol and between each simulated fencing bout	From baseline to completion, up to 31 days
Primary	Heart rate	Change from baseline in heart rate recorded during each 60 s break within the simulated fencing bout protocol and between each simulated fencing bout	From baseline to completion, up to 31 days
Primary	Blood lactate concentration	Change from baseline in blood lactate concentration recorded during each 60 s break within the simulated fencing bout protocol and between each simulated fencing bout	From baseline to completion, up to 31 days
Primary	Thermal comfort	Change from baseline in thermal comfort will be recorded on a scale of 1 - 4 (1 = comfortable; 2 = slightly uncomfortable; 3 = uncomfortable; 4 = very uncomfortable) during each 60 s break within the simulated fencing bout protocol and between each simulated fencing bout.	From baseline to completion, up to 31 days
Primary	Thermal sensation	Change from baseline in thermal sensation will be recorded on a scale of 1 - 7 (1 = cold; 2 = cool; 3 = slightly cool; 4 = neutral; 5 = slightly warm; 6 = warm; 7 = hot) during each 60 s break within the simulated fencing bout protocol and between each simulated fencing bout.	From baseline to completion, up to 31 days
Primary	Rating of perceived exertion of the dominant arm	Change from baseline in rating of perceived exertion exertion for the dominant arm will be recorded on a scale of 1 - 10 (CR10 Borg Scale) during each 60 s break within the simulated fencing bout protocol and between each simulated fencing bout.	From baseline to completion, up to 31 days
Primary	Rating of perceived exertion of the legs	Change from baseline in rating of perceived exertion for the legs will be recorded on a scale of 1 - 10 (CR10 Borg Scale) during each 60 s break within the simulated fencing bout protocol and between each simulated fencing bout.	From baseline to completion, up to 31 days
Primary	Rating of whole body perceived exertion	Change from baseline in whole body rating of perceived exertion will be recorded on a scale of 1 - 10 (CR10 Borg Scale) during each 60 s break within the simulated fencing bout protocol and between each simulated fencing bout.	From baseline to completion, up to 31 days