Simon Mannering of the New Zealand Warriors. Photo / Getty Images.
The Warriors will take the phrase 'cool off' to new levels when players take a spell on the interchange bench this season.
The club have purchased a number of core cooling units which see players dip their hands into over-sized gloves. They are largely mobile freezer units which have been
found to reduce core temperatures quickly and improve fatigue levels and performance during matches.
The concept was developed at Stanford University and teams around the world are tapping into their potential, including the San Francisco 49ers who utilised them recently in the Super Bowl. Warriors players will put their hands in the units when taking a break on the interchange and at halftime to - even in the middle of winter.
"The boys feel a little fresher when they are using them," Warriors sports science manager Brad Morris said. "They are coming off the field and normally sweating quite heavily. In two to three minutes, most of the boys have stopped sweating and core temperatures are in a more optimal range. We should get more work out of them once they are back on the field.
"The fact you are getting the double benefit of slightly more work and feeling fresher is worth the time and money the club has spent on them."
