COOL DOWN for a better workout!

According to a new study, using a combination of cooling techniques - like wearing a cooling vest - before or during exercise helps athletes perform better in the heat!

Before working out, the athletes in the study used cooling methods like wearing a cooling vest or cooling packs, immersing themselves in cold water, drinking cold water or an ice slurry, or a combination of several techniques.

The result? Using cooling techniques before or during exercise improved performance and combining the two worked best. Researchers found that the most effective method was wearing a cooling vest during exercise and a combination of all the techniques before exercise.

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“More blood will be available for oxygen transportation to the exercising muscles, which enables a better performance,” said Dr. Thijs M H Eijsvogels, of the physiology department at Radboud University Medical Center in The Netherlands. 

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How does body cooling help? 

Cooling methods may reduce the amount of energy the body needs to use to stay cool, so the body has more energy for the exercise itself. Exercise increases core body temperature, which can diminish performance. The study found that pre-cooling decreased peak core body temperatures from 102.4 degrees Fahrenheit to 100.6 degrees. 

Above: Kool Max Wrist Wraps and Kool Max® Ankle Wrap

Read the full article on Reuters:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/30/us-cooling-techniques-athletes-idUSKBN0DG1IH20140430

Find the study results at the British Journal of Sports Medicine:

http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2014/04/19/bjsports-2013-092928.abstract

Visit our website to see our full selection of cooling vests and accessories for athletes.