Influence of a warm up and protective clothing on exercise performance in cold weather sports.

Outdoor winter sport athletes face unique weather conditions that might include wind, snow and rain. These weather conditions can occur at a variety of air temperatures, ranging from above zero to -20 C. The colder the air temperature the more challenges winter sport athletes face in warming up for competition and then staying warm.
The sports that are affected the most include alpine skiing, cross country skiing and biathlon. In each of these sports, the competitors wear light weight race suits to ensure they have optimal movement, aerodynamics and breathability. Before their competitions athletes use warm up strategies to increase their muscle temperature and increase blood flow to muscles. They do these warm ups in insulative clothing that is worn over their race suits. When they finish their warm ups they have to remove their insulative clothing to prepare for their start. Lab research has shown that skin and muscle temperature decreases quickly with cold air exposure when participants wear light weight non-insulative clothing. Thus, it is likely that winter sport athletes experience a decrease in skin and muscle temperature when they remove their warm ups and wait to start, especially if the conditions are cold, windy or wet.

Faculty Supervisor:

Michael Kennedy

Student:

Partner:

University of Innsbruck

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Alberta

Program: