90% of Coaches Recognize the Need, but Over 1 in 4 Do Not Implement or Instruct: Survey Released on External Body Cooling 'Cooling Breaks' in Sports
ZAMST, a brand by Nippon Sigmax Co., Ltd., conducted a survey on heat countermeasures among 412 sports coaches nationwide. While over 90% recognize the importance of 'cooling breaks' (external body cooling), about a quarter do not implement them. The main challenges are lack of equipment and time constraints. The company recommends using easy-to-introduce cooling items like the 'COOL SHADER'.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 29, 2026 at 14:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 1, 2026 at 03:20 (61h 20m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 07:24 (28h 4m after Collected)
ZAMST, a sports support and care product brand developed by Nippon Sigmax Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Yosuke Suzuki), conducted a 'Fact-Finding Survey on Heat Countermeasures in Sports Settings' targeting individuals who coach sports in school club activities and club teams, and has reported the results.
[Survey Summary]
With extreme heat becoming the norm, the 'risks during sports competitions due to heat' are becoming more serious. To clarify the implementation status and challenges of external body cooling during 'cooling breaks'—breaks designated for body cooling—a questionnaire was conducted among sports coaches of school clubs and club teams.
Out of 412 coaches, 90.7% feel the 'effectiveness and importance of cooling breaks that cool the body from the outside.' On the other hand, 28.2% of coaches 'do not implement' or 'do not instruct' cooling breaks.
Among 185 outdoor sports coaches, when 134 who implement cooling breaks during practice were asked about the duration per break, less than 30% do it for '5 minutes or more.' The most frequently cited hurdle or challenge for the 185 outdoor sports coaches to sufficiently implement cooling breaks was 'lack of equipment and supplies (39.5%).' This was followed by 'limited time (37.8%).'
■ Background of the Survey
In recent years, extreme heat has become increasingly common, and in April 2026, a new designation for 'extreme heat days' with maximum temperatures of 40°C or higher was established. Furthermore, the number of people transported by ambulance due to heatstroke in fiscal 2025 exceeded 100,000, recording an all-time high (*1). Under these circumstances, accidents such as heatstroke have occurred one after another in sports and educational settings, and the 'risks during sports competitions due to heat' are becoming more serious.
As a heat countermeasure to protect the health and performance of athletes in competitive sports, the introduction of 'cooling breaks'—time dedicated to actively cooling the body—is progressing. This involves not just hydration, but also cooling the body from the outside. Therefore, to clarify the implementation status and challenges of external body cooling during cooling breaks, we conducted and analyzed a questionnaire targeting coaches of school clubs and club teams.
*1: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 'Emergency Transport Status due to Heatstroke in Reiwa 7 (May-September)' p.2, 9
■ Survey Results
1. Out of 412 coaches of school clubs and club teams, 90.7% feel the 'effectiveness and importance of cooling breaks that cool the body from the outside.' On the other hand, 28.2% of coaches 'do not implement' or 'do not instruct' cooling breaks.
Among the 412 coaches, 90.7% felt the effectiveness and importance, citing specific effects such as 'reduction of heatstroke risk (75.1%),' followed by 'fatigue reduction (56.7%),' 'maintenance of concentration (55.4%),' and 'performance improvement (54.2%).'
Conversely, 28.2% of coaches answered that they 'did not implement (11.2%),' 'hardly implemented (5.6%),' or 'implemented but left it to individual judgment (11.4%),' showing a gap between the recognition of importance and actual practice.
2. Among 185 outdoor sports coaches, when 134 who implement cooling breaks during practice were asked about the duration per break, less than 30% do it for '5 minutes or more.'
The most frequently cited hurdle or challenge for the 185 outdoor sports coaches to sufficiently implement cooling breaks was 'lack of equipment and supplies (39.5%).' This was followed by 'limited time (37.8%).'
When the 134 outdoor sports coaches who implement cooling breaks were asked about the 'duration per cooling break during practice,' less than 30% answered '5 minutes or more,' with the most common answer being '3 to less than 5 minutes (44.0%).' Regarding the frequency of cooling breaks during a single practice, 39.3% implement them 'irregularly depending on the heat.'
When the 185 outdoor sports coaches were asked about 'items that could be hurdles or challenges in sufficiently implementing cooling breaks,' 'lack of equipment and supplies (39.5%)' was cited most often, followed by 'limited time (37.8%).'
■ Discussion
This survey revealed that while many coaches recognize the 'importance of cooling breaks through external body cooling,' a gap exists between this recognition and the actual implementation rate and content.
Existing research also shows the effectiveness of external cooling during breaks in hot environments. A study by Iwahashi, Hasegawa et al. (Frontiers in Physiology, 2023) confirmed that performing external cooling during high-intensity exercise in a high-temperature environment significantly lowers core body temperature compared to no cooling, keeping the body temperature lower at the start of the second exercise bout. Furthermore, subjective indicators such as heart rate, feeling of heat, and fatigue were improved, leading to enhanced exercise performance.
On the other hand, this survey highlighted the reality that sufficient cooling breaks are difficult to implement due to reasons such as 'lack of equipment/supplies' and 'time constraints.' Especially in outdoor sports settings, it is often difficult to introduce cooling methods that rely on infrastructure like ice machines and power supplies, and securing cooling time within limited practice hours is also a challenge.
Given this background, it is believed that there is a growing need in the field for body cooling methods that can be introduced 'in a short time,' 'without requiring special equipment,' and 'easily.'
For example, cooling items that exert a cooling effect simply by wetting, wringing, and shaking them do not rely on equipment and can efficiently cool the body even in a short time, which is thought to help enhance the effectiveness of cooling breaks in sports settings.
■ Expert Comment: Dr. Masahiko Saito (Funabashi Orthopedic Hospital, Sports Medicine & Joint Center, Sports Lower Extremity Department)
Cooling is important to incorporate at various times, not just during exercise, but also before and after. Lowering the core body temperature before and after warm-ups helps prevent heatstroke and improves performance.
Also, even for elementary and junior high school students exercising in environments where heat countermeasure equipment is not fully prepared, cooling goods are an easy measure to adopt. In addition to having correct knowledge about heatstroke and exercising while monitoring one's physical condition, let's prepare for the increasingly severe heat by combining hydration and body cooling.
■ Survey Overview
- Survey Period: May 13 to May 14, 2026
- Target: 412 individuals coaching sports in school clubs, club teams, etc., nationwide
- Method: Internet survey
- Agency: In-house survey
■ Cooling Poncho/Vest 'ZAMST COOL SHADER' Surpasses 110,000 Cumulative Shipments
The 'ZAMST COOL SHADER' was launched in 2020 as an item that can easily cool the body even in hot environments.
It is a hooded poncho type, and its ease of providing a cooling sensation simply by wetting, wringing, shaking, and putting it on, as well as its UV cut function that avoids direct sunlight, have been highly evaluated. It has been utilized in a wide range of situations, such as halftimes at sports tournaments, outdoor cheering, and leisure scenes.
In addition, its popularity has grown due to its size, which is easy for both adults and children to use, and its convenience of being wearable while moving. As of the end of March 2026, cumulative shipments have exceeded 110,000 units.
[Reference Materials]
■ Hooded Cooling Poncho 'ZAMST COOL SHADER' Product Overview & Features
Instant cooling just by wetting, wringing, and shaking! A cooling poncho that is -15°C cooler than skin temperature cools the body.
Even in places without shade, it blocks direct sunlight and cuts 99% of UV rays, making it a useful item for UV protection.
Size: Free size
Suggested Retail Price: 4,499 yen (tax included)
Feature 1: Cools the body with a product that is -15°C cooler than skin temperature
Feature 2: Long-lasting cooling that gets cold every time you shake it
Feature 3: BIG size that can be used by both adults and children
■ Cooling Vest Type 'ZAMST COOL SHADER Active Vest'
Size: Free size
Suggested Retail Price: 4,499 yen (tax included)
[Survey Summary]
With extreme heat becoming the norm, the 'risks during sports competitions due to heat' are becoming more serious. To clarify the implementation status and challenges of external body cooling during 'cooling breaks'—breaks designated for body cooling—a questionnaire was conducted among sports coaches of school clubs and club teams.
Out of 412 coaches, 90.7% feel the 'effectiveness and importance of cooling breaks that cool the body from the outside.' On the other hand, 28.2% of coaches 'do not implement' or 'do not instruct' cooling breaks.
Among 185 outdoor sports coaches, when 134 who implement cooling breaks during practice were asked about the duration per break, less than 30% do it for '5 minutes or more.' The most frequently cited hurdle or challenge for the 185 outdoor sports coaches to sufficiently implement cooling breaks was 'lack of equipment and supplies (39.5%).' This was followed by 'limited time (37.8%).'
■ Background of the Survey
In recent years, extreme heat has become increasingly common, and in April 2026, a new designation for 'extreme heat days' with maximum temperatures of 40°C or higher was established. Furthermore, the number of people transported by ambulance due to heatstroke in fiscal 2025 exceeded 100,000, recording an all-time high (*1). Under these circumstances, accidents such as heatstroke have occurred one after another in sports and educational settings, and the 'risks during sports competitions due to heat' are becoming more serious.
As a heat countermeasure to protect the health and performance of athletes in competitive sports, the introduction of 'cooling breaks'—time dedicated to actively cooling the body—is progressing. This involves not just hydration, but also cooling the body from the outside. Therefore, to clarify the implementation status and challenges of external body cooling during cooling breaks, we conducted and analyzed a questionnaire targeting coaches of school clubs and club teams.
*1: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 'Emergency Transport Status due to Heatstroke in Reiwa 7 (May-September)' p.2, 9
■ Survey Results
1. Out of 412 coaches of school clubs and club teams, 90.7% feel the 'effectiveness and importance of cooling breaks that cool the body from the outside.' On the other hand, 28.2% of coaches 'do not implement' or 'do not instruct' cooling breaks.
Among the 412 coaches, 90.7% felt the effectiveness and importance, citing specific effects such as 'reduction of heatstroke risk (75.1%),' followed by 'fatigue reduction (56.7%),' 'maintenance of concentration (55.4%),' and 'performance improvement (54.2%).'
Conversely, 28.2% of coaches answered that they 'did not implement (11.2%),' 'hardly implemented (5.6%),' or 'implemented but left it to individual judgment (11.4%),' showing a gap between the recognition of importance and actual practice.
2. Among 185 outdoor sports coaches, when 134 who implement cooling breaks during practice were asked about the duration per break, less than 30% do it for '5 minutes or more.'
The most frequently cited hurdle or challenge for the 185 outdoor sports coaches to sufficiently implement cooling breaks was 'lack of equipment and supplies (39.5%).' This was followed by 'limited time (37.8%).'
When the 134 outdoor sports coaches who implement cooling breaks were asked about the 'duration per cooling break during practice,' less than 30% answered '5 minutes or more,' with the most common answer being '3 to less than 5 minutes (44.0%).' Regarding the frequency of cooling breaks during a single practice, 39.3% implement them 'irregularly depending on the heat.'
When the 185 outdoor sports coaches were asked about 'items that could be hurdles or challenges in sufficiently implementing cooling breaks,' 'lack of equipment and supplies (39.5%)' was cited most often, followed by 'limited time (37.8%).'
■ Discussion
This survey revealed that while many coaches recognize the 'importance of cooling breaks through external body cooling,' a gap exists between this recognition and the actual implementation rate and content.
Existing research also shows the effectiveness of external cooling during breaks in hot environments. A study by Iwahashi, Hasegawa et al. (Frontiers in Physiology, 2023) confirmed that performing external cooling during high-intensity exercise in a high-temperature environment significantly lowers core body temperature compared to no cooling, keeping the body temperature lower at the start of the second exercise bout. Furthermore, subjective indicators such as heart rate, feeling of heat, and fatigue were improved, leading to enhanced exercise performance.
On the other hand, this survey highlighted the reality that sufficient cooling breaks are difficult to implement due to reasons such as 'lack of equipment/supplies' and 'time constraints.' Especially in outdoor sports settings, it is often difficult to introduce cooling methods that rely on infrastructure like ice machines and power supplies, and securing cooling time within limited practice hours is also a challenge.
Given this background, it is believed that there is a growing need in the field for body cooling methods that can be introduced 'in a short time,' 'without requiring special equipment,' and 'easily.'
For example, cooling items that exert a cooling effect simply by wetting, wringing, and shaking them do not rely on equipment and can efficiently cool the body even in a short time, which is thought to help enhance the effectiveness of cooling breaks in sports settings.
■ Expert Comment: Dr. Masahiko Saito (Funabashi Orthopedic Hospital, Sports Medicine & Joint Center, Sports Lower Extremity Department)
Cooling is important to incorporate at various times, not just during exercise, but also before and after. Lowering the core body temperature before and after warm-ups helps prevent heatstroke and improves performance.
Also, even for elementary and junior high school students exercising in environments where heat countermeasure equipment is not fully prepared, cooling goods are an easy measure to adopt. In addition to having correct knowledge about heatstroke and exercising while monitoring one's physical condition, let's prepare for the increasingly severe heat by combining hydration and body cooling.
■ Survey Overview
- Survey Period: May 13 to May 14, 2026
- Target: 412 individuals coaching sports in school clubs, club teams, etc., nationwide
- Method: Internet survey
- Agency: In-house survey
■ Cooling Poncho/Vest 'ZAMST COOL SHADER' Surpasses 110,000 Cumulative Shipments
The 'ZAMST COOL SHADER' was launched in 2020 as an item that can easily cool the body even in hot environments.
It is a hooded poncho type, and its ease of providing a cooling sensation simply by wetting, wringing, shaking, and putting it on, as well as its UV cut function that avoids direct sunlight, have been highly evaluated. It has been utilized in a wide range of situations, such as halftimes at sports tournaments, outdoor cheering, and leisure scenes.
In addition, its popularity has grown due to its size, which is easy for both adults and children to use, and its convenience of being wearable while moving. As of the end of March 2026, cumulative shipments have exceeded 110,000 units.
[Reference Materials]
■ Hooded Cooling Poncho 'ZAMST COOL SHADER' Product Overview & Features
Instant cooling just by wetting, wringing, and shaking! A cooling poncho that is -15°C cooler than skin temperature cools the body.
Even in places without shade, it blocks direct sunlight and cuts 99% of UV rays, making it a useful item for UV protection.
Size: Free size
Suggested Retail Price: 4,499 yen (tax included)
Feature 1: Cools the body with a product that is -15°C cooler than skin temperature
Feature 2: Long-lasting cooling that gets cold every time you shake it
Feature 3: BIG size that can be used by both adults and children
■ Cooling Vest Type 'ZAMST COOL SHADER Active Vest'
Size: Free size
Suggested Retail Price: 4,499 yen (tax included)
FAQ
What is a cooling break?
It is a break time in competitive sports dedicated to actively cooling the body to protect athletes' health and performance.
What percentage of sports coaches recognize the importance of cooling breaks?
90.7% of the surveyed coaches feel the effectiveness and importance of cooling breaks.
What are the main challenges in implementing cooling breaks?
The most common challenge is 'lack of equipment/supplies' (39.5%), followed by 'limited time' (37.8%).
What are the features of ZAMST's 'COOL SHADER'?
It is a cooling poncho that provides a cooling effect of about -15°C compared to skin temperature through evaporative cooling, simply by wetting, wringing, and shaking it.
What kind of business does Nippon Sigmax Co., Ltd. operate?
Operating as a 'physical activity support business,' it develops and manufactures medical supplies for orthopedics and sports support/care products like ZAMST.