ABSTRACT

　The fan cooling garments are coming into very common use by Japanese outdoor manual workers. This study investigated the effects of the fan cooling vest use on endurance performance and prevention of heat-related illnesses in high school athletes during high-intensity training sessions under the clear sky in the summer heat. Ten male soccer players in high school conducted two high-intensity soccer training sessions for 2-h with （VEST） or without （CON） a commercially available fan cooling vest on a soccer uniform. These sessions commenced at 9 a.m. on separate days in late August. Increases in mean skin temperature, heart rate and thermal sensation were attenuated （all P<0.05） in VEST than CON during exercise. Rating of perceived exertion was lower （P<0.05） in VEST than CON during exercise. Total distance measured with a global positioning system was lower （both P<0.05） in VEST than CON. Body fluid responses were not different between trials （all P>0.05）．This study indicates that the use of the fan cooling vest would alleviate thermal strain and risks of heat-related illnesses in high school athletes during high-intensity training sessions under the clear sky in the summer heat. Meanwhile, it is likely that endurance performance is limited by using the fan cooling vest under our experimental conditions compared to when no vest is used.

DECENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.46/The DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE