Development of an Active Heat Dissipation Device Based on Thermoelectric Cooling Technology: Aiming to Improve Endurance Sports Performance

NCT07539714 | Active Not Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: KMUHIRB-F(II)-20220046KMUHIRB-F(II)-202 20046
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This project investigates the effectiveness of pre-exercise active cooling using a temperature-controlled cooling vest in reducing heat-related physiological strain during endurance-type aerobic exercise in non-regularly trained ("weekend") athletes under hot and humid environmental conditions. Because these individuals often lack sufficient heat-acclimation training, they are at increased risk of excessive thermal stress, cardiovascular overload, and heat-related disorders during prolonged exercise. Using a controlled laboratory design, participants will perform moderate-intensity endurance exercise in a simulated hot environment, with or without pre-cooling intervention. Peripheral circulation and thermoregulatory responses will be assessed through laser Doppler flowmetry based skin blood-flow analysis and infrared thermography, alongside heart rate and perceived exertion measures. The study aims to clarify how active pre-cooling influences vascular regulation, sympathetic activity, skin temperature distribution, and exercise tolerance, and to evaluate its potential as a practical, non-fatiguing alternative to heat-acclimation training. The findings are expected to provide evidence-based guidance for reducing heat strain and improving exercise safety and comfort in recreational endurance athletes exercising in hot climates.

Conditions

Heat Stroke

Keywords

Active Cooling Device

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Heart Rate

  During a single laboratory visit lasting approx. 40 minutes: baseline immediately before the pre cooling period,immediately after 30 minutes of pre cooling,immediately after the 5 minute exercise bout, and immediately after the 5 minute seated cool down.

• Temperature

  During a single laboratory visit lasting approx.40 minutes: baseline immediately before the pre cooling period, immediately after 30 minutes of pre cooling,immediately after the 5 minute exercise bout, and immediately after the 5 minute seated cool down.

Study Arms (3)

Arm 1: Pre-Cooling with TEC Vest

EXPERIMENTAL

Arm 1: Pre-Cooling with TEC Vest Participants receive pre-cooling using a temperature-controlled cooling vest (tec) for 30 mins prior to the exercise trial.

Device: TEC Vest

No Pre-Cooling (Without Vest)

EXPERIMENTAL

Arm 2: No Pre-Cooling Participants complete the same exercise trial without any cooling intervention (no vest).

Other: No Pre-Cooling (Without Vest)

Pre-Cooling with Water Cooled Vest

EXPERIMENTAL

Pre-Cooling with Water Cooled Vest Participants receive pre-cooling using a water cooled vest for 30 mins prior to the exercise trial.

Device: Water Cooled Vest

Interventions

TEC Vest DEVICE

Intervention 1: Active Pre-Cooling Vest Type: Device (active cooling garment) Timing: 30 minutes before exercise (pre-cooling period) Procedure: Participants wear the temperature-controlled vest in a hot/humid lab setting before the endurance aerobic exercise test. Purpose: Reduce thermal strain and cardiovascular load; improve comfort; modulate peripheral circulation responses.

Arm 1: Pre-Cooling with TEC Vest

No Pre-Cooling (Without Vest) OTHER

Intervention 2: No Pre-Cooling Without Vest Type: No intervention / usual condition Timing: 30 min Duration Procedure: Participants rest quietly for the same pre-exercise duration without wearing a cooling vest, then complete the identical warm-up and exercise protocol.

No Pre-Cooling (Without Vest)

Water Cooled Vest DEVICE

Type: Device (active cooling garment) Timing: 30 minutes before exercise (pre-cooling period) Procedure: Participants wear the water cooled vest in a hot/humid lab setting before the endurance aerobic exercise test. Purpose: Reduce thermal strain and cardiovascular load; improve comfort; modulate peripheral circulation responses.

Pre-Cooling with Water Cooled Vest

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 20-50 years.
• In the past 6 months, endurance exercise less than three times per week, 40-60 min each session.
• No cardiovascular, metabolic (e.g., diabetes), or neurological disorders, and no diseases affecting vascular regulation.
• No medication affecting vascular tone within the last 3 months.
• No major musculoskeletal injuries or disorders affecting performance within the last 3 months.

You may not qualify if:

• Diabetes, hypertension, or peripheral vascular disease.
• Long-term work in hot environments.
• BMI \> 30 kg/m², smoking, or heavy alcohol use.
• Allergic reactions triggered by heat or cold (e.g., hives).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kaohsiung Medical University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Cooling Vest

Kaohsiung City, Sanmin, 807, Taiwan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Heat Stroke

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Heat Stress Disorders; Wounds and Injuries

Study Officials

• Guo LY Professor and Dean of College of Health Sciences, P.hD

  Department of Sports Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: FACTORIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 10, 2026
• First Posted: April 20, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2027
• Last Updated: April 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

TW (1)