The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of water ingestion and wearing a cooling jacket on thermoregulatory responses during arm cranking exercise in persons with spinal cord injury. Six male paraplegics (L1−Th6) exercised for 30 min at 20 watts in a hot environment (33℃, 80% relative humidity) under three separate conditions; no drinking (ND), water ingestion (D) and water ingestion with wearing cooling jacket (DJ). Tympanic membrane temperature (Tty), skin temperature and heart rate were continuously monitored. Although in any conditions Tty increased during exercise, the rate of increase was smallest in DJ. Significant difference was noted between ND and DJ for Tty (p<0.05). The arm and thigh skin temperatures were also lower in DJ in comparison to ND and D. Total sweat loss in DJ (190g) was significantly greater than those in ND and D (300g)(p<0.05). These results indicated that the subjects could improve the rate of heat storage and then diminish thermoregulatory strain in DJ. Furthermore, the lower Tty despite lower total sweat loss in DJ suggested the higher sweat efficiency (evaporative sweat loss / total sweat loss) when compared to ND and D.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.24/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE