This study will help us as scientists and clinicians understand how effective commonly used cooling protocols in emergency departments are and which of the protocols is the most effective. It consists of a single, approximately 1 hour preliminary session and five, approximately 3 hour experimental sessions, equaling an approximate 16 hour total time commitment. The purpose of this research is to test the effectiveness of three cooling protocols. 1. Cooling packs 2. "Ice Sheets", which are bed sheets soaked in ice water, wrapped around the participant, while a fan blows air on them. 3. Body bag filled with ice, commonly used in emergency departments to treat hyperthermia Additionally, a negative control (passive cooling in air-conditioned room) and a positive control (cold water immersion).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
During recovery, participants lie supine in an air-conditioned room
During recovery, participants lie supine while ice packs are applied to both sides of the neck, both arm pits, and both sides of the groin
During recovery, participants are wrapped in bed sheets that have been soaked in ice water, while an electric fan blows air across their body
During recovery, participants are placed in a body bag full of ice, and then have ice placed on top of their body, followed by zipping the body bag closed.
During recovery, participants are submerged in a bath, up to their neck, in cold water water with ice
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
RECRUITINGRectal temperature cooling rate
Following termination of the exercise protocol, at a core temperature above 39 degrees Celcius, participants will be cooled until they reach a core temperature of 38 degrees Celcius. The cooling rate in degrees Celcius per minute, is the primary outcome.
Time frame: The measurement occurs immediately upon completion of the exercise protocol. Time itself is part of the outcome variable and will vary between participants (~3 to 40 min post exercise protocol).
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