Does “Waiting to Start” in Extreme Cold Conditions Alter Physiological, Perceptual and Exercise Performance Responses in Males and Females?

We investigated the influence of different-length interim periods after a standardized warm-up on the physiological, perceptual and performance responses in males and females. Fourteen participants (eight females, six males; age: 24.7 ± 5.6 years; V̇O2max 54.6 ± 5.5 mL/kg/min) completed three environmental chamber trials [0 (CON), 6 (6IP) or 12 (12IP)-minute interim period] preceded by the same 15 min warm-up and followed by a subsequent 8-min running performance trial at −15.0 °C. The maximal knee extension force, heart rate, muscle oxygenation, thermal state, cold discomfort and perceived leg discomfort were measured. The distance run was the same between conditions but the average (p = 0.008) and peak heart rates (p = 0.034), as well as the thermal state (p < 0.001), were all greater in the CON compared to 12IP. Females did have heavier legs and felt colder at the end of the interim periods, with continued heavier legs and cold discomfort across the performance trial, although these increases were not significant (p > 0.05). Thus, increasing the rest time in severe cold alters physiological and perceptual responses, especially in females, but does not influence running performance over 8-min. It is recommended that minimizing wait times will reduce the effects of severe cold air cooling before an outdoor winter sport competition.