Casa, D. J., McClung, J. M., Knight, J. C., Clements, J. M., Caldwell, K. A., Goss, P. J., Harvard, W. R., & Hipp, G. R. (2003). Body cooling between exercise sessions in the heat decreases thirst in the absence of rehydration. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(5), Supplement abstract 1728.

Heat-acclimated runners (N = 15) completed three comfortable runs (~19 km, 86 minutes) in hilly terrain one week apart. The running situations consisted of: distance run then 12 minutes of ice-water immersion, then a 3.2 km race in the heat; distance run then 12 minutes of cold-water immersion, then a 3.2 km race in the heat; and distance run then 12 minutes of no immersion but ambient air of 29.5°C, then a 3.2 km race in the heat. No rehydration occurred in any trial.

Performance factors and physiological responses were similar in all trials. The sensation of thirst was less in the cooled conditions.

Implication. Body cooling decreases the sensation of thirst.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.