Japanese collegiate and club lacrosse games are often held under environmental conditions of extreme heat in the summer. Lacrosse players are also required to wear protective equipment, which is a risk factor for heat-related illness. Nevertheless, the thermoregulatory responses of lacrosse players under such conditions are poorly understood. The present study compared the thermoregulatory responses in subjects wearing the mens' lacrosse uniform or general athletic clothes during an exercise-simulated lacrosse match played in the heat (high temperatures). Eight men performed two experimental trials of 4 × 15-min intermittent cycling exercise in the heat (35°C, 50% relative humidity). All participants performed two trials wearing a lacrosse uniform (WEAR) or general athletic clothes (CON). The physiological strain index was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the WEAR condition than in CON, and exceeded the high risk level for heat-related illness in WEAR during the 3 rd quarter. Additionally, rectal temperature, skin temperature, heart rate, and ratings for perceived exertion, thermal sensation, and thermal comfort were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the WEAR condition than in CON. Rectal temperature continued to increase during half-time in the WEAR condition, but not in CON (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that lacrosse players are at a higher risk of heat-related illness compared to other team sport athletes during a match because of the protective equipment worn, especially after half-time. Although further studies are required to confirm the thermoregulatory responses during an actual lacrosse match, our data will be useful in developing strategies to minimize the risk of heat-related illness.
Small-sided games (SSGs) are common drills used in various team sports, but the exercise intensity in ultimate Frisbee SSG has not yet been investigated. To clarify the physical, physiological, and technical demands of ultimate Frisbee SSG, we investigated the influence of pitch size on exercise intensity during SSG. Nine male college ultimate Frisbee players played (3 vs. 3) SSG on small (SSGS: 30 × 15 m) and large (SSGL: 40 × 20 m) pitches; both SSGs comprised of four 4 min periods, interspersed by 5 min of passive recovery. Players’ mean heart rate (170 ± 8 and 171 ± 7 bpm), peak heart rate (184 ± 7 and 184 ± 5 bpm), and blood lactate concentration (11.3 ± 4.7 and 11.8 ± 4.6 mmol/L) were similar in SSGS and SSGL, respectively. The total distance covered (1984 ± 166 m and 1702 ± 80 m) and the distance covered during quick (860 ± 112 m and 696 ± 69 m) and high-intensity running (439 ± 95 and 255 ± 44) in SSGL were significantly longer than those in SSGS (p < 0.05). Conversely, the number of accelerations (45 ± 3 and 41 ± 3) and decelerations (44 ± 3 and 40 ± 4), catching errors (2 ± 1 and 1 ± 1), and turnovers (8 ± 2 and 6 ± 2) in SSGS were significantly greater than those in SSGL (p < 0.05). This study suggests that ultimate Frisbee SSG provides high-intensity training, which stimulates the glycolytic pathway. Furthermore, manipulating SSG pitch size effectively modulates the physical demands of SSG.
The present study investigated the effects of half-time (HT) break cooling using a fan and damp sponge on physiological and perceptual responses during the 2nd half of a repeated-sprint exercise in a hot environment. Eight physically active men performed a familiarization trial and two experimental trials of a 2×30-min intermittent cycling exercise protocol with a 15-min HT break in hot conditions (35°C, 50% relative humidity). Two experimental trials were conducted in random order: skin wetting with a fan (FANwet) and no cooling (CON). During the 2nd half, a repeated-sprint cycling exercise was performed: i. e., 5 s of maximal pedaling (body weight×0.075 kp) every minute, separated by 25 s of unloaded pedaling (80 rpm) and 30 s of rest. Rectal temperature, skin temperature (chest, forearm, thigh, and calf), heart rate, physiological strain index, rating of perceived exertion, thermal sensation, and comfort were significantly improved in the FANwet condition (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the repeated-sprint cycling exercise performance between conditions. The results suggest that skin wetting with a fan during the HT break is a practical and effective cooling strategy for mitigating physiological and perceptual strain during the 2nd half in hot conditions.
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