Why cooling during sports works

Cooling during sports: the benefits of a lower heart-rate and lower core temperature.

Science tells us that the main benefits for cooling DURING exercise are:

  • Limit the rise in core temperature.
  • Limit the rise in heart rate (cardiovascular drift).
  • Reduce the perceived heat stress.
  • Support natural heat dissipation without overcooling the working muscles.
  • Ensure continuous heat dissipation throughout the entire exercise.


The users of SportsCooling report a lower heart-rate and lower core temperature during their training/race. They also report that they can 'keep going' for longer. This brings numerous advantages across three domains: physical performance, cognitive function, and comfort and enjoyment.

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The optimal marathon temperature is just above 5°C (41°F). As temperatures rise, the body must work harder to stay cool, leaving less energy available for running.

A landmark study involving nearly 1.8 million marathon runners over ten years showed that finish times become progressively slower as ambient temperatures increase (see below chart).

Cooling the body during exercise helps limit the rise in core temperature and heart rate, allowing athletes to maintain a higher performance level for longer—especially in warm conditions.

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