When athletes exercise, their muscles consume energy and generate heat as a byproduct (Blatteis, 2001). Since temperature is a limiting factor during exercise in a heat stress environment then finding a way to prevent the attainment of a critical internal temperature could help the athlete maintain speed and performance (Gonzalez-Alonso et al, 1999). Swimming pools in warmer parts of the world are typically outdoors with temperatures set at 29oC to 33oC. Add to that the environmental temperature of >30oC and a severe heat stress environment is present. During high intensity, intermittent training, the decline in performance may arise as a result of central and peripheral fatigue and also, in part, due to heat strain (Cheung & Sleivert, 2004). Therefore finding an effective and safe method of dealing with heat strain during swimming training is an important issue in the preparation of athletes training in tropical environments. A novel approach to cooling is the Rapid Thermal Exchange System (RTX) developed by AVAcore Technologies Inc. The RTX maximizes heat transfer through the palms of the hands which increases circulation in the arteries and veins by using subatmospheric pressure to drawing blood into them. The result is a decrease in the temperature of venous blood returning to the heart. The purpose of this study will be to examine the thermoregulatory, performance and psychophysical effects of using intermittent hand-cooling during high intensity, intermittent training in National level swimmers in competition (~27deg C) versus warmer pools (~30 deg C).
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