Fencing provides a thermoregulatory challenge through repeated high-intensity bouts over a competition day that can last 9-11 hours, as well as the requirement to wear thick protective clothing from head to toe which consists of multiple layers. This protective clothing limits heat loss mechanisms available to the fencer with the potential to cause high core and skin temperatures leading to decreased performance and potential heat stress. Furthermore, the protective clothing provides challenges for researchers to measure thermoregulatory responses and determine appropriate cooling interventions. Traditionally thermoregulatory research has focused on outdoor sports with little attention to indoor sports. However, many sports venues across the world do not have air conditioning which could result in increasing high ambient temperatures, particularly during summer months. Moreover, hot indoor environments decrease exerciser satisfaction and comfort and can have lower air quality.
This webinar will detail my PhD research within fencing with a focus on cooling within the sport. It will detail my journey from assessing the thermoregulatory demands through to applying a cooling intervention. Furthermore, there will be discussion of the challenges of applied research within the field and opportunities for practitioners and researchers within protective clothing sport.
