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Low‐frequency electrical stimulation combined with a cooling vest improves recovery of elite kayakers following a simulated 1000‐m race in a hot environment
Author(s) -
Borne R.,
Hausswirth C.,
Costello J. T.,
Bieuzen F.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.12392
Subject(s) - vest , sprint , medicine , wet bulb globe temperature , crossover study , stimulation , core temperature , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , anesthesia , zoology , heat stress , mathematics , placebo , statistics , alternative medicine , pathology , biology
This study compared the effects of a low‐frequency electrical stimulation ( LFES ; V einoplus ® S port, A d R em T echnology, P aris, F rance), a low‐frequency electrical stimulation combined with a cooling vest ( LFES CR ) and an active recovery combined with a cooling vest ( ACT CR ) as recovery strategies on performance (racing time and pacing strategies), physiologic and perceptual responses between two sprint kayak simulated races, in a hot environment (∼32 wet‐bulb‐globe temperature). Eight elite male kayakers performed two successive 1000‐m kayak time trials ( TT 1 and TT 2), separated by a short‐term recovery period, including a 30‐min of the respective recovery intervention protocol, in a randomized crossover design. Racing time, power output, and stroke rate were recorded for each time trial. Blood lactate concentration, pH , core, skin and body temperatures were measured before and after both TT 1 and TT 2 and at mid‐ and post‐recovery intervention. Perceptual ratings of thermal sensation were also collected. LFES CR was associated with a very likely effect in performance restoration compared with ACT CR (99/0/1%) and LFES conditions (98/0/2%). LFES CR induced a significant decrease in body temperature and thermal sensation at post‐recovery intervention, which is not observed in ACT CR condition. In conclusion, the combination of LFES and wearing a cooling vest ( LFES CR ) improves performance restoration between two 1000‐m kayak time trials achieved by elite athletes, in the heat.