Improved 2000-m rowing performance in a cool environment with an external heating garment: passive heating and exercise performance

Purpose. Rowers can be in marshalling areas for up to 20-25 minutes before the start of a race, which likely negates any benefits of an active warm-up, especially in cold environments. It is unknown if using a heated jacket following a standardised rowing warm-up can improve 2,000 m rowing performance. Methods. On two separate occasions, ten trained male rowers completed a standardised rowing warm-up, followed by 25 minutes of passive rest before a 2,000 m rowing time-trial (TT) on a rowing ergometer. Throughout the passive rest, participants wore either a standardised tracksuit top (CON) or an externally heated jacket (HEAT). The trials, presented in a randomised, cross-over fashion, were performed in a controlled environment (temperature, 8°C; humidity 50%). Rowing TT performance, core body and mean skin temperature, along with perceptual variables were measured. Results. During the 25 minute period, core body temperature increased in HEAT and decreased in CON (∆0.54 ± 0.74 vs. −0.93 ± 1.14°C; P = 0.02). Additionally, mean skin temperature (30.22 ± 1.03 vs. 28.86 ± 1.07°C) was higher in HEAT vs. CON (P < 0.01). In line with the physiological data, perceptual data confirmed that participants were more comfortable in HEAT vs. CON and subsequently, rowing performance was improved in HEAT compared to CON (433.1 ± 12.7 vs. 437.9 ± 14.4 s, P = 0.002). Conclusion. Our data demonstrate that an upper body external heating garment, worn following a warm-up, can improve rowing performance in a cool environment.