Effect of Neck Cooling on Thermal Sensation and Exercise Capacity in University Students under Heat Stress Environment

Training and competition in hot environments impose significant physiological and psychological burdens on athletes, thereby adversely affecting sports performance and increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses (e.g., heatstroke, exertional heatstroke, and sudden death).To mitigate physiological and psychological stress for university students during summer physical activities, ensure optimal performance, and prevent heat-related pathologies, effective physical cooling measures must be implemented during exercise.Given the diversity of cooling methods and their varying efficacy, neck cooling emerges as a practical and flexible intervention from a pragmatic standpoint.This approach reduces the psychological strain induced by high temperature conditions, extends time to exhaustion, and enhances athletic performance.Consequently, accessible neck cooling strategies can significantly benefit university students engaging in physical activities under routine high-temperature conditions.The present study aims to investigate the impact of neck cooling on thermal perception and exercise capacity in university students exposed to elevated ambient temperatures.