Sinclair, Wade H., Rudzki, Stephan J., Leicht, Anthony S., Fogarty, Alison L., Winter, Susan K., and Patterson, Mark J. (2009) Efficacy of field treatments to reduce body core temperature in hyperthermic subjects. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 41 (11). pp. 1982-1988.

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Abstract

Purpose: To contrast the effects of three postcooling techniques in reducing body core temperature (Tc) in exercise-induced hyperthermic participants on the cessation of exercise.

Methods: Eleven healthy active male volunteers were cooled during a 40-min period using three different methods: ice packs to the neck, axillae, and groin (ICE); water spray and fan (FAN); and 2 L of chilled (20°C) intravenous saline administered during a 20-min period (IV). Rate of decrease in Tc, cardiovascular responses, and any incidence of reported adverse effects were investigated. Trials were presented in a counterbalanced order with the volunteers' body core temperature being elevated to 40.0°C on three occasions via an intermittent walk-run (2 min at 6 km·h-1 and 4 min at 10 km·h-1) protocol conducted within a climate-controlled chamber (34.2 ± 0.5°C and 62.3 ± 3.1% relative humidity).

Results: Rate of Tc reduction during the first 20 min of ooling was greater for FAN compared with ICE (0.09 ± 0.02°C·min-1 vs 0.07 ± 0.02°C·min-1, P < 0.05), whereas IV did not differ with the other trials (0.08 ± 0.01°C·min-1, P > 0.05). Three participants complained of numbness or paresthesia in their arm or hand during administration of the chilled saline, although these symptoms resolved within 5 min of ceasing the infusion.

Conclusions: All three cooling techniques reduced Tc and would be suitable for first aid application in a field setting during transportation to adequate medical facilities. Chilled IV saline did not produce any contraindications, providing a suitable alternative for Tc cooling.

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