Spanish footballers test Formula 1 cooling gear against heat

Spanish national football team players experienced a novel cooling system during a recent training session in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The team utilized advanced technology, originally developed for Formula 1, to mitigate the effects of the 30 degrees Celsius heat and 75% humidity.

The system comprises specialized vests, jackets, and boot covers. Adidas, the apparel provider for the Spanish team, designed this technology to enhance heat tolerance. It is capable of lowering a player's internal body temperature by as much as 0.5 degrees Celsius and their skin temperature by up to 13 degrees.

The vest features a frozen gel that gradually thaws against the player's torso, while the insulating jacket prolongs the cooling effect. The boot covers are designed to reduce foot temperature after strenuous physical activity.

This innovative cooling solution has its roots in motorsport. It was initially conceived to help Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 drivers cope with the extreme temperatures inside their cockpits. The technology was later refined and adapted for the specific demands of football through collaborative testing with various clubs and their medical teams.