Intermittent Cooling During Baseball Games on Hitting and Defense Performance

September 24, 2021 updated by: Chen Kang, National Taiwan Sport University

Intermittent Cooling During Baseball Games Alleviated Perceived Exertion But Had no Effect on Hitting and Defense Performance in Hot Environment

This study adopted a practical approach in intermittent cooling on forehead and neck during an intra-squad baseball game. Exit velocity of batted balls was used as an indicator for hitting performance and a baseball-specific reactive agility test to evaluate the cognitive performance in defense.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This study used a randomized cross-over design. Each participant completed a cooling and a non-cooling trial in a random order, separated by a 20-day washout period. Each trial contained a 7-inning intra-squad game in hot environment. Hitting, reactive agility, and cognitive tests were administered before and after the game. Forehead skin and tympanic temperature, perceived exertion, and thermal sensation were measured during the game.

Experimental procedure After body weight and rectal temperature were measured in a temperature-controlled room, the participants consumed a standardized breakfast. The breakfast included white bread 1.2 g/kg, jam 0.1 g/kg, butter 0.l g/kg, and soybean milk 5 ml/kg (6.2 kcal/kg, containing carbohydrate 1.0 g/kg, protein 0.24 g/kg, and fat 0.14 g/kg). Go/NoGo and Stroop Color-Word tasks were administered after breakfast. After finishing the cognitive tests, the participants moved to the field for self-selected warm up, followed by hitting and reactive agility tests. After the intra-squad game, the participants repeated the hitting, reactive agility, and cognitive tests. The participants can drink water ad libitum during the experimental period.

Intra-squad game The 7-inning intra-squad games were played under the standard rules of baseball in hot environmental conditions (temperature 31.1-33.4℃, humidity 63-67%).

Cooling intervention The participants in the cooling trial put cold towels on their forehead and neck for 3 min in the shaded dugout during their offensive half innings when they were not scheduled to hit or on base. Each participant received the cooling intervention 3 to 4 times in each game. After each use, the towels were kept in a cooler that contained water mixed with ice and salt to keep the temperature at approximately 0℃. The participants in the control trial sat in the shaded dugout without any cooling intervention.

Measurement of temperature Rectal temperature was measured before breakfast and after the game with a digital thermometer fitted with disposable sheaths. Forehead skin and tympanic temperature were measured with infrared thermometers during their offensive half innings in the dugout.

Hitting test The participants used their own bat to hit balls thrown by a pitching machine positioned 12 m from the home plate. The ball speed was approximately 120 km/h. The participants were asked to make the best effort to hit the balls. Each test was consisted of 15 batted balls. Exit velocity was measured with a video system and swing power was measured with a sensor attached to the knob of the bat.

Reactive agility test The infielders played defense against ground balls at the short stop position while the outfielders played defense against fly balls in center field. The participants were asked to move toward the ball as soon as they determine the trajectory and make the best effort to catch it. Each test was consisted of 15 batted balls. The reaction time, the time from bat-ball contact to the participant's first definitive movement in the intended direction, was calculated post-hoc using frame-by-frame analysis of the video footage by an experienced coach

Cognitive tests The Go/NoGo and Stroop Color-Word tasks were administered on a laptop computer in a quiet room. Each task contained 100 trials.

Perceived exertion and thermal sensation The participants reported their perceived exertion and thermal sensation during their offensive half innings. Perceived exertion was estimated with a 10-point Borg scale. Thermal sensation was estimated with a 7-point scale from -3 being the coolest to 3 being the hottest.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
10

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Taiwan
      • Taichung, Taiwan, 404
        • National Taiwan University of Sport

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

20 years to 23 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • baseball players from National Taiwan University of Sport, Taiwan
  • at least 6 years of experience in baseball training
  • have competed nationally.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • having cardiovascular or other known chronic diseases
  • taking any medication in the preceding 2 months
  • having musculoskeletal injuries in the preceding 2 months.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: cooling
The participants in the cooling trial put cold towels on their forehead and neck for 3 min in the shaded dugout during their offensive half innings when they were not scheduled to hit or on base. Each participant received the cooling intervention 3 to 4 times in each game. After each use, the towels were kept in a cooler that contained water mixed with ice and salt to keep the temperature at approximately 0℃.
Procedure: Cooling
The participants in the cooling trial put cold towels on their forehead and neck for 3 min in the shaded dugout during their offensive half innings when they were not scheduled to hit or on base. Each participant received the cooling intervention 3 to 4 times in each game. After each use, the towels were kept in a cooler that contained water mixed with ice and salt to keep the temperature at approximately 0℃.
Placebo Comparator: Control
The participants in the control trial sat in the shaded dugout without any cooling intervention.
Other: control
The participants in the control trial sat in the shaded dugout without any cooling intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
rectal temperature
Time Frame: baseline
baseline
change in rectal temperature
Time Frame: 5 hours after the baseline
5 hours after the baseline
forehead skin temperature
Time Frame: baseline
baseline
change in forehead skin temperature
Time Frame: 2 hours after the baseline
measured after each inning in an 2-hour 7-inning intra-squad baseball game
2 hours after the baseline
tympanic temperature
Time Frame: baseline
baseline
change in tympanic temperature
Time Frame: 2 hours after the baseline
measured after each inning in an 2-hour 7-inning intra-squad baseball game
2 hours after the baseline
exit velocity of batted balls
Time Frame: baseline
baseline
change in exit velocity of batted balls
Time Frame: 3 hours after baseline
3 hours after baseline
reactive agility in defense
Time Frame: baseline
The reaction time, the time from bat-ball contact to the participant's first definitive movement in the intended direction
baseline
change in reactive agility in defense
Time Frame: 3 hours after baseline
The reaction time, the time from bat-ball contact to the participant's first definitive movement in the intended direction
3 hours after baseline
swing power
Time Frame: baseline
power of bat swings
baseline
change in swing power
Time Frame: 3 hours after baseline
power of bat swings
3 hours after baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
ratings of perceived exertion
Time Frame: baseline
baseline
change in ratings of perceived exertion
Time Frame: 2 hours after baseline
measured after each inning in an 2-hour 7-inning intra-squad baseball game
2 hours after baseline
thermal sensation
Time Frame: baseline
baseline
change in thermal sensation
Time Frame: 2 hours after baseline
measured after each inning in an 2-hour 7-inning intra-squad baseball game
2 hours after baseline
Go/NoGo tasks
Time Frame: baseline
reaction time and error rate
baseline
change in Go/NoGo tasks
Time Frame: 5 hours after baseline
reaction time and error rate
5 hours after baseline
Stroop Color-Word test
Time Frame: baseline
reaction time and error rate
baseline
change in Stroop Color-Word test
Time Frame: 5 hours after baseline
reaction time and error rate
5 hours after baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
National Taiwan Sport University

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Chen-Kang Chang, National Taiwan University of Sport

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
July 15, 2020

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
September 10, 2020

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 10, 2020

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 6, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 24, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
October 6, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
October 6, 2021

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 24, 2021

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 18-076-A

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

No

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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