Manchester United is leveraging advanced cooling jackets during their Premier League Super Series campaign in the United States to combat extreme heat. This technology, with roots in military applications from the mid-20th century, is now being adopted across various sports to enhance athlete performance and safety.
The Science Behind Cooling Jackets
Cooling jackets are designed to reduce an athlete’s core and skin temperature. Studies suggest this can lead to improved endurance, better performance, and a reduced risk of heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion. The effectiveness of these jackets relies on sustained wear and covering a significant portion of the body, allowing for more efficient cooling.
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Mechanism: Insulated jackets worn over cooling vests help lower body temperature, heart rate, and overall strain.
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Historical Use: Evolved from military gear requiring power supplies to modern, self-contained systems.
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Benefits: Enhanced endurance, reduced risk of heat illness, and improved recovery.
Manchester United’s Adoption
The team is utilizing cooling jackets from Adidas’s Climacool System technology. These are being worn by players after warm-ups and during halftime of their matches in the U.S. This initiative follows experiences at the 2025 Club World Cup, where extreme heat necessitated cooling breaks and the use of mist fans, with some teams even opting to stay in the changing room to avoid the conditions.
Potential Impact on Future Tournaments
Given the challenging conditions faced during the Club World Cup, which served as a precursor to the 2026 Men’s World Cup, cooling jackets are anticipated to play a crucial role. With an expanded 48-team format for the World Cup, more daytime matches are expected, increasing the challenges posed by the heat. Experts predict that proactive cooling interventions will become a necessity for teams aiming to perform optimally.
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2026 World Cup: Expect widespread use of cooling jackets and similar equipment.
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Team Strategies: Better-resourced teams are likely to adopt these measures to manage heat.
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Scheduling: While proactive cooling is key, adjustments to match schedules (e.g., early or late kick-offs) may also be considered.
Cooling Technology in Formula 1
Formula 1 teams, such as Mercedes, have also adopted similar cooling technologies. In F1, drivers can experience internal temperatures between 55-60°C during races, leading to significant sweat loss. While drivers often use full-body immersion in water for pre-race cooling, the jackets offer a way to maintain a cooler feeling for longer periods. Future F1 regulations may even introduce in-car cooling suits, drawing parallels to early military designs, though their effectiveness in reducing actual strain remains a subject of discussion.
