The Effect of Water Dousing on Heat Strain and Performance During Endurance Running in the Heat

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Mitchell Anderson Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia

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Clint Bellenger Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia

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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3871-8646
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Georgia K. Chaseling Engagement and Co-Design Research Hub, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
SOLVE-CHD NHMRC Synergy Grant, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

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Samuel Chalmers Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia

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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1901-6910 *
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2024-0044
Keywords:
endurance performance; hyperthermia; percooling; skin wetting
First Published Online:
04 Sep 2024
In Print:
Ahead of Print
Page Range:
1–8
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Objectives: Assess the effect of water dousing on heat strain and performance during self- and fixed-paced exercise in the heat. Design: Crossover, block-randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirteen trained runners completed a 10-km time trial (TT) and 60-minute fixed-pace run (60% velocity of V˙O2max) in a 30.4 °C, 47.4% relative humidity environment using either water dousing (DOUSE) or no dousing (CON). Results: Ten-kilometer TT performance was faster in DOUSE compared to CON (44:11 [40:48, 47:34] vs 44:38 [41:21, 47:56] min:s; P = .033). Change in core temperature (Tc) was not different between groups during the TT (+0.02 [−0.04, 0.07] °C in DOUSE; P = .853) or fixed-pace run (+0.02 [−0.15, 0.18] °C; P = .848). Change in mean skin temperature was lower in DOUSE during the TT (−1.80 [−2.15, −1.46] °C; P < .001) and fixed-pace run (−1.38 [−1.81, −0.96] °C; P < .001). Heart rate was lower for DOUSE during the fixed-pace run (−3.5 [−6.8, −0.2] beats/min; P = .041) but not during the TT (−0.2 [−2.5, 2.1] beats/min; P = .853). Thermal sensation was lower for DOUSE during the TT (−49.3 [−72.1, −26.1] mm; P < .001) and fixed-pace run (−44.7 [−59.7, −29.6] mm; P < .001). Rating of perceived exertion was not different between groups for the TT (−0.2 [−0.7, 0.3]; P = .390) or fixed-pace run (−0.2 [−0.8, 0.4]; P = .480). Sweat rate was lower for DOUSE for the TT (−0.37 [−0.53, −0.22] L/h; P < .001) and fixed-pace run (−0.37 [−0.48, −0.26] L/h; P < .001). Conclusion: Water dousing improves 10-km TT performance in the heat but does not affect Tc. The positive change in thermal perception (via lower skin temperature) during the TT likely drives this benefit.

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