Original scientific paper
Palmar cooling and the physiological response to aerobic physical activity
Matteo Sergio Pozzi
orcid.org/0009-0004-2466-647X
; FZSRI
Helena Štrucelj
Abstract
During physical activity, various physiological systems synergistically operate to enable organism adaptation. Introducing an innovative approach, such as palm cooling, i.e., the application of cold compresses to the palms, investigates the potential for regulating body temperature during exercise. This study analyzes the influence of palm cooling on changes in heart rate, perceived exertion, body temperature, and workload during aerobic activity. The aim is to understand whether palm cooling can mitigate the rise in body temperature and subjective perception of effort, as well as encourage regular exercise among individuals struggling with exercise-induced discomfort. In this context, the exploration of palm cooling represents an innovative approach that could contribute to optimizing physical activity and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Twenty-four physically healthy participants participated in the study, with no acute or chronic conditions present at the time of the study, and none of them had medical restrictions for sports activities prescribed by a physician. The students were aged 20 to 23, with an average fitness level. Exclusion criteria encompassed sensitivity to cold, acute and chronic health conditions, and locomotor injuries. A submaximal cycle ergometer test, specifically the Astrand-Rhyming Cycle Ergometer Test, was employed to analyze differences in four parameters between the two conditions. Statistical analysis encompassed descriptive procedures, t-test, Wilcoxon test, and Chi-square test. While differences in heart rate, perceived exertion, and workload were observed between conditions with and without palm cooling, statistical significance was not achieved. However, notable differences in body temperature, which was lower in the palm cooling condition, confirm the potential efficacy of palm cooling during aerobic physical activities.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
324944
URI
Publication date:
23.12.2024.
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