Development of an Active Heat Dissipation Device Based on Thermoelectric Cooling Technology: Aiming to Improve Endurance Sports Performance (DAHDD-TCT)

Heat Acclimation and Innovative Cooling Systems: Optimizing Athletic Performance and Reducing Heat-Induced Performance Impairments in Hot Environments Under Climate Change Conditions

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Heat Stroke
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: TEC Vest; Other: No Pre-Cooling (Without Vest); Device: Water Cooled Vest

Detailed Description

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of pre-exercise active cooling using a temperature-controlled vest on peripheral vascular regulation mechanisms in non-regular endurance exercisers under hot environmental conditions. Specifically, this study seeks to quantify how pre-cooling modulates skin blood-flow dynamics, sympathetic nervous system activity, endothelial function, and myogenic vascular control, as assessed through frequency-domain analysis of laser Doppler flowmetry signals, before and after endurance-type aerobic exercise. By characterizing these microcirculatory responses alongside changes in skin-surface temperature measured via infrared thermography, the study aims to elucidate the physiological pathways through which active pre-cooling attenuates thermal strain and cardiovascular load during exercise in the heat.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Taiwan
  • Sanmin
    • Kaohsiung City, Sanmin, Taiwan, 807
      • Cooling Vest

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 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.

Exclusion Criteria:

• • 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).

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Arm 1: Pre-Cooling with TEC Vest; 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; 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.
Experimental: No Pre-Cooling (Without Vest); Arm 2: No Pre-Cooling Participants complete the same exercise trial without any cooling intervention (no vest).	Other: No Pre-Cooling (Without Vest); 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.
Experimental: Pre-Cooling with Water Cooled Vest; 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; 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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
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.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kaohsiung Medical University
• Investigators: Study Chair: Guo LY Professor and Dean of College of Health Sciences, P.hD, Department of Sports Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 10, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 13, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 20, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 20, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 13, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Active Cooling Device
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Heat Stress Disorders; Heat Stroke
• Other Study ID Numbers: KMUHIRB-F(II)-20220046; KMUHIRB-F(II)-202 20046 (Other Identifier: Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital Institutional Review Board)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No