Een nieuw stralingswerend hoofdbeschermingsmiddel voor een olympische roeier : Invloed op hoofdhuidtemperatuur, temperatuurbelevingen prestatiematen [A new headgear to prevent solar radiation for an Olympic rower : Influence on head skin temperature, temperature perception and performance]
article
Endurance performance deteriorates in a warm climate. The main cause is an increase in objective body temperature and temperature sensations. Therefore a special headgear was developed for an Olympic rower. The goal of the new headgear was to enhance performance by diminishing the increase in head temperature due to solar radiation in the warm climate found at the Athens Olympic Summer Games. To determine the effectiveness of the new headgear six subjects exercised in three conditions: bareheaded, with a baseball cap and with the new headgear. The exercise time was 30 minutes and the exercise intensity was adjusted to the training status of the subject. Head skin temperature (forehead and neck), heart rate, and subjective sensations were measured. After 12 minutes of rowing a trend was found in a lower head skin temperature when wearing the new headgear compared to wearing a baseball cap. However, it is unclear if this trend results in performance enhancement in practice. If one subject with a voluminous hairstyle was excluded from analysis a favourable trend could be seen in temperature perception when wearing a baseball cap or the new headgear compared to being bareheaded. This trend could result in performance enhancement during a match. However, from these trends it is impossible to draw conclusions. Nevertheless, independent from this study an Olympic rower used the new headgear during the Athens Olympics. In line with the trends found in this study, this world class rower experienced a lower head skin temperature and an improved air flow over his head.
Topics
TNO Identifier
238750
ISSN
00166448
Source
Geneeskunde en Sport, 38(5), pp. 142-148.
Pages
142-148
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