Purpose This study examined the thermoregulatory response and ergogenic effects of ice slurry (ICE) ingestion in hot environments with high and low relative humidity (RH). Methods Eight males completed four trials in a crossover manner in dry (DRY: 34.7 ± 0.2 °C, 38 ± 2%RH) and humid heat (HUM: 34.8 °C ± 0.2 °C, 80 ± 1%RH). They ingested 8.0 g·kg−1 of ICE (0.0 °C) or 37.5 °C water (CON) during 30 min before exercise, and three aliquots (3.2 g·kg−1) of ICE or CON during 45-min cycling at 50%V˙ O2peak, followed by cycling to exhaustion at 80%V˙ O2peak (TTE). Body core temperature (Tcore), mean skin temperature (Tsk), heart rate (HR), thermal comfort, thermal sensation and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. Results Relative to CON, ICE improved TTE by 76.5 ± 96.5% in HUM and 21.3 ± 44.9% in DRY (p = 0.044). End-exercise Tcore was lower in ICE versus CON in DRY (37.8 ± 0.4 °C versus 38.1 ± 0.3 °C, p = 0.005) and HUM (38.8 ± 0.4 °C versus 39.3 ± 0.6 °C, p = 0.004). ICE decreased HR, heat storage and heat strain index only in DRY (p < 0.001–0.018). ICE improved thermal sensation and comfort in DRY and HUM (p < 0.001–0.011), attenuated RPE in HUM (p = 0.012) but not in DRY (p = 0.065). Conclusion ICE tended to benefit performance in humid heat more than in dry heat. This is likely due to the reduced extent of hyperthermia in dry heat and the relative importance of sensory inputs in mediating exercise capacity.

Increasing female participation in competitive sports demands the need to understand how to manage the effect of the menstrual cycle on performance. The present study aims to understand the variation in performance during a roundhouse kick movement along the menstrual cycle. Participants (n = 6) performed at least 6 high and low kick, two different tasks (simple or complex), across two different cycles, twice each cycle. Self-reported wellness, anthropometric measures and blood hormone concentration were taken. Reaction, response, and movement time were measured as performance outcomes. Repeated measure ANOVA and correlation statistical analyses were done. No significant relationship between hormone concentration and performance and no significant differences in performance between phases and cycles were found. The present study showed no influence of the menstrual cycle on roundhouse kick performance. However, on an individual level, there appears to be some physiological and psychological responses, emphasising the need for individualise training adaptations.