The Effects of Facial Cooling on Fencing Performance

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

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.

Between each simulated fencing match participants will spend the first 30 s of rest having a facial water mist sprayed onto the face with accompanying fanning from 50 cm away from the face.

Change from baseline in tympanic temperature taken during each 60 s break within the simulated fencing bout protocol and between each simulated fencing bout

Change from baseline in heart rate recorded during each 60 s break within the simulated fencing bout protocol and between each simulated fencing bout

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Inclusion Criteria: Trained fencers Exclusion Criteria: Injured or a contraindicative medical condition