Cooling vest explained

A cooling vest is a piece of specially made clothing designed to lower or stabilize body temperature and make exposure to warm climates or environments more bearable.[1] [2] Cooling vests are used by many athletes, construction workers, and welders, as well as individuals with multiple sclerosis, hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, or various types of sports injuries.[3]

Types

Cooling vests range in weight from around 1 to 3.5 kg, depending on the model. While many subtypes do exist, cooling vests fall into one of 5 primary types:

Uses

The effects of cooling vests on athletes to improve their performance has been evaluated on several occasions; at the 2004 Summer Olympics several Americans and Australians were fitted with cooling vests supplied by Nike, used prior to their events.[4]

Cooling vests are also used by persons with multiple sclerosis. In multiple sclerosis, nerve fibers become demyelinated which leads to pain and discomfort when temperature is elevated. Nerve fibers may also be remyelinating or in the process of repairing themselves, and still be sensitive to elevated temperatures. The cooling vest keeps the patient's temperature down, reducing the pain symptoms.[5] In 2005, a 12-week study at the University of Buffalo was funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, a division of the U.S. Department of Education, to determine if people with multiple sclerosis could exercise longer with the help of a cooling vest.[6]

Cooling vests are also used by large workforces in the industrial markets from construction to oil and gas. In 2018, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy developed a state of the art cooling suit using evaporative cooling technology[7] to help its 30,000 workforce complete the building of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Stadiums. This is believed to be the largest and most significant deployment of cooling workwear delivered and consulted by TechNiche UK.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-05-27. Cold vests for multiple sclerosis: Types, effectiveness, and more. 2021-06-15. www.medicalnewstoday.com. en.
  2. Web site: 2021-05-19. Cooling Vests Proven to Be the Solution Against Heat Strain Perceived by COVID-19 Nurses. 2021-06-15. Energy Industry Review. en-GB.
  3. Web site: Cooling Vest Helps COVID Clinicians with Heat Stress Medgadget. 11 January 2021 . 2021-06-15. en-US.
  4. Warming Up With an Ice Vest: Core Body Temperature Before and After Cross-Country Racing. 2006. 1748408. NATA Journals . 14650777. Hunter. I.. Hopkins. J. T.. Casa. D. J.. Journal of Athletic Training. 41. 4. 371–374. 17273460.
  5. Web site: Delgado. Diana Campelo. Cooling Vest Marks Fourth Anniversary During MS Awareness Month. 2021-06-15. en-US.
  6. Web site: Can Cooling Affect Exercise for Those with MS? – UB NewsCenter . Buffalo.edu . 2005-10-31 . 2012-09-26.
  7. Web site: Legacy in Action: Qatar’s revolutionary stadium cooling technology . 2024-05-31 . inside.fifa.com . en.