Recently on Power Athlete RadioWe’ve taken a deep dive into a fascinating topic: the science of cooling gloves and their potential to improve sports performance. Alongside Stanford physiologist Dr. Craig Heller, we explained how cooling can impact central nervous system (CNS) efficiency and recovery, as well as its fascinating overlap with some intuitive principles of fitness training. strength.

One particularly compelling parallel we explored was a concept from the late Louie Simmons, the legendary trainer behind Westside Barbell. Known for his revolutionary methods in strength training and rehabilitation, Simmons often relied on anecdotal insights gleaned from decades of training elite athletes. He observed that athletes using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), such as testosterone, required less volume to elicit the same or even greater adaptations compared to athletes without the drugs.

According to Simmons, for drug-free athletes, 10 reps might be needed to stimulate meaningful adaptations, while athletes with higher testosterone levels might only need 4 or 5 reps. The logic behind this statement relates directly to CNS efficiency: testosterone appears to improve the nervous system’s ability to recruit motor units, making each contraction more powerful and efficient. This notion of “getting more with less” sparked an interesting discussion.

The Science of Cool Mittens

Dr. Heller’s research highlights the impact of cooling on physiological performance. Cool gloves are designed to regulate body temperature by targeting a specific heat exchange system in the palms. The palms, rich in arteriovenous anastomoses (AVA), act as heat release valves, helping the body to quickly dissipate excess heat. By cooling core temperature, athletes can maintain higher activity levels for longer durations and recover more quickly between efforts.

This mechanism is particularly relevant in high-intensity or force-based sports, where heat accumulation can impair neuromuscular efficiency. High temperatures can fatigue the CNS, leading to decreased motor unit recruitment and slower recovery times. By cooling the hands, athletes can bypass these thermal limits, restoring the ability of the CNS to function at optimal levels.

Connecting anecdotes and evidence

Although Simmons’ observation on testosterone remains anecdotal, it provides a fascinating framework for understanding the role of CNS efficiency in performance. Cooling may not directly replicate the effects of testosterone on the nervous system, but the parallels are hard to ignore. Both interventions appear to optimize motor unit recruitment, allowing athletes to do more with less effort, whether through hormonal pathways or temperature regulation.

What is striking is the broader application of cooling. Unlike PEDs, which raise many ethical and health concerns, cooling is a non-invasive and accessible method with potential for widespread use. Whether elite athletes aiming for marginal gains or everyday exercisers looking to improve recovery, the cool gloves could represent a breakthrough in training technology.

Challenges and future research

Despite promising anecdotal and experimental findings, the field still lacks comprehensive data to support many of these claims. Much like Simmons’ intuitive observations, practical results often surpass science. This gap highlights the need for robust studies examining how cooling specifically influences CNS efficiency and motor unit recovery.

However, one thing is clear: the potential benefits of cooling go beyond heat management. If further research validates their role in CNS optimization, cool gloves could be a game-changer for athletes across all disciplines.

My conversation with Dr. Heller highlighted how seemingly simple interventions, like hand cooling, can open new frontiers in performance and recovery. Whether viewed through the lens of Simmons’ knowledge of CNS effectiveness or cutting-edge physiological research, the concept of “cool gloves” challenges athletes and coaches to rethink traditional approaches to training.

By harnessing the power of cooling, we may be able to achieve what Simmons described for improving CNS performance: doing more with less.