We examined if physical characteristics could be used to predict cooling time during cold water immersion (CWI, 2 °C) following exertional hyperthermia (rectal temperature ≥39.5 °C) in a physically heterogeneous group of men and women (n = 62). Lean body mass was the only significant predictor of cooling time following CWI (R2 = 0.137; P < 0.001); however, that prediction did not provide the precision (mean residual square error: 3.18 ± 2.28 min) required to act as a safe alternative to rectal temperature measurements.
Keywords: caractéristiques physiques; cold water immersion; core temperature; coup de chaleur à l’effort; exertional heat stroke; heat stress; hyperthermia; hyperthermie; immersion en eau froide; physical characteristics; stress thermique; température centrale.