Résumé
Purpose:To determine the effect of cold ambient conditions on proprioception and cognitive function in elite alpine skiers. Methods: 22 high-level alpine skiers and 14 control participants performed a proprioceptive-acuity (active movement-extent discrimination) and a cognitive (planning task) test in cold (8 degrees C) and temperate (24 degrees C) ambient conditions. Results: All participants displayed an increase in thermal discomfort and the amount of negative affects in the cold environment (all P <.05). Average proprioceptive acuity was significantly better in the elite skiers (0.46 degrees +/- 0.12 degrees) than in the control group (0.55 degrees +/- 0.12 degrees) (P <.05) and was not affected by cold ambient conditions, except for a shift in the pattern of error (over-vs underestimation, P <.05). Cognitive performance was similar between elite skiers and control participants in temperate environments but decreased in the cold in the control group only (P <.05) becoming lower than in elite skiers (P <.05). Conclusion: Elite alpine skiers showed a significantly better proprioceptive acuity than a control population and were able to maintain their performance during a cognitive task in a cold environment.