Fan Cooling Improves Submaximal Exercise Capacity in an Indoor Thermoneutral Environment

摘要

We compared physiological and perceptual responses to submaximal, moderate-vigorous, heart rate-based cycle ergometry with and without a fan. Methods: Sixteen recreationally active adults (25 +/- 3 years; 8 men and 8 women) participated in the study. After an initial visit to assess cardiorespiratory fitness, each participant performed two 40-min training sessions on a cycle ergometer, either with or without a fan (similar to 4 m/s), while workload was continually adjusted to elicit and maintain 70 of heart rate reserve. Workload, oxygen cost, and respiratory exchange ratio were monitored throughout, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and thermal sensation were recorded every 5 min. Blood lactate was recorded pre-, mid-, and post-sessions and nude body mass was obtained pre-post. Results: Greater (p < .01) mean workload (+15) and oxygen consumption (+9) yielded significantly greater (p < .01) energy expenditure with fan cooling (344 +/- 124 kcals) compared to without fan cooling (302 +/- 103 kcals). Thermal sensation, but not RPE (p = .09), was lower (p < .01) with fan cooling (3.8 +/- 0.7) compared to without fan cooling (5.5 +/- 0.8), and body mass loss was attenuated (p < .05) with fan cooling (-0.4 +/- 0.2 kg) compared to the non-fan trial (-0.6 +/- 0.3 kg). Significantly higher (p < .05) blood lactate values were observed in Fan (3.0 +/- 1.9 mmol/l) vs. No Fan (2.5 +/- 1.4 mmol/l) trials. Conclusions: Fan cooling during submaximal, moderate-vigorous intensity cycle ergometry significantly enhanced work capacity and energy expenditure without increasing perceived exertion. These data highlight the utility of fan cooling as a means to increase the effectiveness of indoor, heart rate-based cycle training.