Effectiveness of heat stocking in attenuating Core and Muscle Temperatures Loss during half-time Break in Football in Blantyre, Malawi, version 1.0
Abstract
Executive Summary
Title: Effectiveness of heat Stocking in attenuating core and muscle temperatures loss during half-
time break in football in Blantyre, Malawi.
Type of research: This is a randomized controlled trial research design.
Background: Many team sports are played in two halves separated by a 10-20minute half-time
break. This half-time break is essential to both the Players, coaches and sports medicine doctors,
fitness and conditioning coaches and physiotherapists. Players use the half-time break to rest from
cognitive and physical demands of the game, rehydrate and refuel, receive medical and kit
attention. On the other hand, Coaches have to provide technical and tactical feedback to the
players.
Problem: However, half-time break is associated with a decline in core and muscle temperatures.
Such a decline in temperature is associated with decreased levels of performance coupled with
increased risk of injury during the initial 15-20 minutes of the second half. The drastic fall in levels
of performance and increased risk of injury is attributed to decrease in core body and muscle
temperatures that occur during the half-time break.
Broad objective: This study intends to evaluate the effect of a heat stocking worn in the lower
limbs during a 15-minute half-time break on core and muscle temperatures loss among football
players.
Specific Objectives:
1. To determine the amount of core and muscle temperature lost from using a heat stocking
worn in the lower limbs during a 15-minute half-time break among football players.
2. To examine the effect of heat stocking on core and muscle temperatures loss during a 15-
minute half-time break among football players.
Study population: All players who are playing for Blantyre based Super League teams will
comprise the study population. The research participants will be randomised into control group
and intervention group.
Methods: Study participants will be randomised into intervention groups and control groups.
Athletes in the intervention group will wear the heat stocking during a 15-minute half-time break05-Sep-2022
VERSION 2.0 March 14, 2022
17
whilst those in control group will not wear the heat stocking. Skin temperatures and core
temperatures will be measured before the game, at the start and at the end of 15-minute half-time
break and at the end of the second half. Findings will be compared between the intervention and
control groups to determine the effectiveness of the heat stocking in preserving core and muscle
temperature among football athletes.
Data analysis: Data will be analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Software
(Version 21; SPSS, Inc. Chicago, IL). Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and
frequency will be used to summarise data on age, body weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI),
core and muscle temperatures. Changes in body core and muscle temperature before and after the
half-time will be analysed using dependent student’s t-test for within group analysis and
independent student’s t-test. The significance level for the study is set at P < 0.05.
Expected Outcome: Core and body temperatures loss will be greatly attenuated in the intervention
group than the control group. Thus, heat stocking will be effective in attenuating core and muscle
temperatures loss during half-time break in football.
Dissemination of study findings: Copies of the findings of the research will be submitted to
College of medicine Research Ethics Committee (COMREC), University college hospital research
ethics committee (UI/UCH REC) and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences Library. The findings
of this study will also be presented in conferences and seminars. The researcher will publish the
findings of the study in most reputable journals