Precooling and percooling (cooling during exercise) both improve performance in the heat: a meta-analytical review

Author: Bongers CCWG, Thijssen DHJ, Veltmeijer MTW, et al

Year: 2015

Published in: British Journal of Sports Medicine 2015;49:377-384

Exercise increases core body temperature (Tc), which is necessary to optimise physiological processes. However, excessive increase in Tc may impair performance and places participants at risk for the development of heat-related illnesses. Cooling is an effective strategy to attenuate the increase in Tc. This meta-analysis compares the effects of cooling before (precooling) and during exercise (percooling) on performance and physiological outcomes.