Effects of Cold Application on Exercise Performance

It is of utmost importance to determine the individual upper limits in the recommended exercises for increasing the level of physical activity and for developing the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular exercise tests are used in determining the exercise capacity and performance. Cardiovascular exercise tests allow maximal and submaximal loadings to determine the person's body temperature, oxygen consumption, fatigue, interpretation of cardiac responses, and exercise capacity.

Thermal equilibrium is achieved by the activation or inhibition of autonomic and behavioral thermocouples in order to generate, dissipate or protect heat. These thermocouples act together and allow precise control of body temperature, which is arranged in a narrow range.

Under certain conditions, such as body temperature, systemic inflammation, extreme environmental conditions, and exercise performance, it falls outside this narrow range. Metabolic heat production is 15 to 20 times greater than resting during exercise. In exercise performed under hot ambient conditions, the rate of heat production will exceed the rate of heat loss and cause it to rise rapidly before reaching a plateau. The increase due to the exhalation of body heat initiates two autonomous thermodynamics for heat dissipation: sweating and cutaneous vasodilatation. Although both mechanisms help prevent exaggerated increase in body temperature, they cause stress for the cardiovascular system.

Exercise performance and level of physical activity are influenced by individual characteristics such as personality adjustment and mediocre adjustment. Adaptation is defined as adaptation under natural conditions. Robinson showed that the individual salt losses are higher in individuals who exercise in a hot environment and cannot adapt to the temperature, a decrease in both urine and sweat salt contents with temperature compliance. One research has shown that exercise performance is influenced by heat-induced muscle cramps and cardiovascular function disorders due to this significant increase in salt loss. An increase in body temperature caused by exercise can have a negative impact on exercise performance and may lead to the development of conditions associated with increased body temperature.

Although many studies in literature have shown positive effects of performance of pre-exercise cold exercise on performance, there is no consensus on the use of cold applications.

In our study, changes that may arise from individual differences will be tried to be controlled using repetitive measurements in the same individuals. Evaluation results will be recorded without any cold application in order to determine the circumstances prior to the application. In the following weeks, doses to both Quadriceps muscles will be recorded immediately after cold application of 5 minutes, 10 minutes and 20 minutes. Each of the applications will be held on the same day of the week and at the same time in 4 consecutive weeks. Nutritional and fluid trains (such as stimulant substances, amount of coffee tea), ambient conditions (temperature and humidity) that may affect individual performance will be recorded. Keeping room conditions under control will benefit from air conditioning. Individuals will be informed about the equipment and test protocol to be used in the tests. A sufficient number of trials will be done before the test so that the participants are familiar with the equipment and test protocol. All assessments will be performed by the same physiotherapist.

Participant Evaluation:

* Body composition will be assessed by height, weight, body fat percentage and skin thickness measurements. (TANİTA and Skinfold measurements)
* Bruce protocol with the aim of determining the exercise capacity (Bruce protocol installed on the treadmill), fatigue (lactate measurement device), heart rate (Polar wireless heart rate index), blood pressure (manual sphygmomanometer), saturated oxygen level (pulse oximetry) and oxygen consumption (metabolic gas analyzer) measurements.
* Respiratory Function Test (Spirometer, FEV1, FVC, FEV1 / FVC, FEF (25-75), PEF, MVV) should be performed for evaluation of respiratory functions.
* Respiratory muscle strength will be assessed by in-mouth pressure measurements (MIP-MEP device) during inhalation and exhalation.
* The application area will be assessed by dual laser infrared non-contact superficial temperature measurement thermometer and general body temperature infrared in-ear thermometer.
* Assessment of muscle strength and muscular endurance will be assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer.

Application Program:

Keeping room conditions, temperature and humidity under control will benefit from air conditioning. Temperature and humidity percentage indicator will be used when room conditions are monitored. Cooled ice packs of gel will be used to cool the quadriceps muscles. The amount of heat of the gel packets, before and after application of the application area, will be recorded by measuring with an infrared non-contact thermometer.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male, healthy individuals between the ages of 18-25
* individuals without peripheral circulatory disturbances
* Individuals without chronic disease
* Individuals without orthopedic, neurological, cardiopulmonary disturbances that may prevent evaluation and measurement
* individuals who have not exercised regularly in the past six months

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals with sensory loss
* Individuals with cold hypersensitivity
* Drug users who may influence performance