Datasheet2_Pre-, Per- and post-cooling strategies used by competitive tennis players in hot dry and hot humid conditions.docx

PurposeThis research investigated the pre-, per- and post cooling strategies used by competitive tennis players from various levels of play who occasionally train and compete in hot (>28°C) and humid (>60% rH), and dry (<60% rH) environments.
Methods129 male tennis players (Mage = 24.9) competing at regional (N = 54), national (N = 30) and international (N = 45) levels, completed an online questionnaire regarding their use (i.e., timing, type, justification and effectiveness) of pre- (i.e., before practice), per- (i.e., during exercise) and post-cooling strategies when playing tennis in hot dry (HD) and hot humid (HH) conditions. Individual follow-up interviews were also carried on 3 participants to gain an in-depth understanding of the player's experience.
ResultsCompetitive tennis players used both internal and external cooling strategies to combat the negative effects of HD and HH conditions, but considered the HH to be more stressful than HD and experienced more heat-related illness in HH environments. International players used cold packs and cold towel more frequently than the regional and national players in hot environments, and used cold water immersion and cold vest more frequently than the latter in HH. Differences in strategy use were mostly observed during per-cooling where regional and national players more frequently used cold drinks than international players who more frequently used cold packs in HD and cold towel in HH conditions. Moreover the latter more frequently used cold towel, cold packs and cold water immersion as post-cooling strategies than regional players.
ConclusionWhen playing tennis in the heat, it is strongly recommended to employ cooling strategies to maintain health, limit declines in performance, and promote recovery. We also recommend improving education regarding the appropriate use and effectiveness of cooling strategies, and increasing their availability in tournaments.

研究目的：本研究旨在探究不同竞技层级的竞技网球运动员，在偶尔于高温（气温＞28℃）、高相对湿度（relative humidity, rH＞60%）以及低相对湿度（rH＜60%）环境下训练与参赛时，所采用的预降温（pre-cooling）、运动中降温（per-cooling）与赛后降温（post-cooling）策略。
研究方法：本研究招募129名男性竞技网球运动员（平均年龄24.9岁），其中区域级54名、国家级30名、国际级45名。所有受试者均填写了一份在线问卷，内容涵盖其在热干燥环境（hot dry, HD）与热湿润环境（hot humid, HH）下进行网球运动时，所采用的预降温（运动前）、运动中降温（运动过程中）与赛后降温策略的使用情况，包括使用时机、策略类型、采用依据与实际效果。此外，研究还对3名受试者进行了一对一随访访谈，以深入了解运动员的实际体验。
研究结果：竞技网球运动员会同时采用内部降温与外部降温策略，以抵消热干燥与热湿润环境带来的不良影响；但运动员普遍认为热湿润环境比热干燥环境更具挑战性，且在热湿润环境中更易出现热相关疾病。在高温环境下，国际级运动员比区域级与国家级运动员更频繁地使用冰袋（cold packs）与冷毛巾（cold towel）；而在热湿润环境中，国际级运动员使用冷水浸浴（cold water immersion）与降温背心（cold vest）的频率也高于前两类运动员。不同层级运动员的降温策略使用差异主要体现在运动中降温阶段：区域级与国家级运动员更常饮用冷饮（cold drinks），而国际级运动员在热干燥环境中更常使用冰袋，在热湿润环境中则更常使用冷毛巾。此外，相较于区域级运动员，国际级运动员更常将冷毛巾、冰袋与冷水浸浴作为赛后降温策略。
结论：在高温环境下进行网球运动时，应采用降温策略以维持运动员身体健康、减缓运动表现下滑并促进赛后恢复。本研究同时建议，应加强关于降温策略合理使用与实际效果的科普教育，并提升赛事中降温资源的可及性。