Effect of ice slushy ingestion and cold water immersion on thermoregulatory behavior

PLoS One. 2019 Feb 27;14(2):e0212966. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212966. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to examine the effects of ice slushy ingestion (ICE) and cold water immersion (CWI) on thermoregulatory and sweat responses during constant (study 1) and self-paced (study 2) exercise. In study 1, 11 men cycled at 40-50% of peak aerobic power for 60 min (33.2 ± 0.3°C, 45.9 ± 0.5% relative humidity, RH). In study 2, 11 men cycled for 60 min at perceived exertion (RPE) equivalent to 15 (33.9 ± 0.2°C and 42.5 ± 3.9%RH). In both studies, each trial was preceded by 30 min of CWI (~22°C), ICE or no cooling (CON). Rectal temperature (Tre), skin temperature (Tsk), thermal sensation, and sweat responses were measured. In study 1, ICE decreased Tre-Tsk gradient versus CON (p = 0.005) during first 5 min of exercise, while CWI increased Tre-Tsk gradient versus CON and ICE for up to 20 min during the exercise (p<0.05). In study 2, thermal sensation was lower in CWI versus CON and ICE for up to 35-40 min during the exercise (p<0.05). ICE reduced thermal sensation versus CON during the first 20 min of exercise (p<0.05). In study 2, CWI improved mean power output (MPO) by ~8 W, compared with CON only (p = 0.024). In both studies, CWI (p<0.001) and ICE (p = 0.019) delayed sweating by 1-5 min but did not change the body temperature sweating threshold, compared with CON (both p>0.05). Increased Tre-Tsk gradient by CWI improved MPO while ICE reduced Tre but did not confer any ergogenic effect. Both precooling treatments attenuated the thermal efferent signals until a specific body temperature threshold was reached.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Temperature Regulation*
  • Cold Temperature
  • Eating*
  • Humans
  • Ice
  • Immersion*
  • Male
  • Skin Temperature
  • Sweating
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Ice

Grants and funding

The study was funded by the School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University. At the time of the study was conducted, HCC and RNOM were supported by the International Postgraduate Research Scholarship and Edith Cowan University. João Lopes-Silva (88881.132395/2016-01) was supported by CAPES Scholarship. The other authors have no support or funding to report.