Ashton Eaton trials new Nike ‘cooling mask’ as American decathlon star roars into commanding lead at World Championships

Nike have unveiled their new ‘cooling mask’ with ice-pack technology
The innovative design helps athletes to speed up their recovery times
Decathlon star Ashton Eaton has been trialling the mask as he looks to defend his world-record at the World Championships in Beijing

Published:
08:55 GMT, 28 August 2015

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Updated:
18:35 GMT, 28 August 2015

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Sportswear giants Nike have released the prototype of a new ‘cooling mask’ aimed at helping athletes to speed up their recovery times.

American decathlon star Ashton Eaton has been tasked with trialling the mask as he competes in the World Athletics Championships in Beijing.

The innovative design, which sees the soft material shaped to fit snugly like a hat and hood over the 27-year-old’s forehead, temples, cheeks and rear neck, allows ice cold temperatures to be exuded onto his skin.

American decathlon star Ashton Eaton models the new Nike ‘cooling mask’ at the World Championships

The need to recover between his 10 events is paramount for Eaton, the current world-record holder

Eaton watches on from the sidelines with USA team-mate Zach Ziemek (right) at the Bird’s Nest Stadium

Eaton smiles alongside USA compatriot Jeremy Taiwo (left) as they both benefit from the cooling technology

For Eaton, cooling off quickly isn’t simply a matter of comfort: it’s a necessity to help him regenerate between 10 demanding events.

He explained: ‘A perfect scenario would be to feel like you’ve just started on every event. There more you do, the more attrition you experience.

‘After asking questions about current recovery techniques, the conversation (with Nike sport scientists) prompted me to ask myself: Why does it feel good, after running, to pour a bottle of water over your head? I don’t know the physiological answer, but the fact that it does feel better makes me perform better.’

Sandy Bodecker, VP of Special Projects at Nike Innovation added: ‘Simply put, the hood concentrates a cold mass out of an icebox, covering the face, head and neck, and allows a gradual and effective cooling of the head.’

‘Working collaboratively with the best athletes means faster problem solving and allows us to bring the future, faster.

‘The insight Ashton gave us was that overheating was a challenge, especially during the high jump and pole vault when there was so much time spent on the field, and he asked how we could speed up his recovery between his short, explosive action. It was an interesting challenge coming directly from one of the world’s greatest athletes so we, literally, took the challenge head-on.’

Nike sport scientists have worked hard to deliver a new innovative piece of kit to speed up recovery times

Eaton has taken a commanding lead in the decathalon this year and reached 7.88m in the long jump

Eaton threw 14.52m in the shot put and is currently first in the standings ahead of Canada’s Damian Warner

The inner layers of the mask are tight-fitted which allow it retain cool water without leaking. Simultaneously, a structural frame around the eye sockets keeps cold portions in place and close to the face while holding it all firmly together.

The mask’s use is still in its infancy, however, and will be trialled further before being put onto general sale. Eaton’s wife and Canadian athlete Brianne Theisen-Eaton will also wear her own version during her summer training programme.

Eaton has got off to a strong start in the decathlon this year, taking a sizeable lead after the first three events on Thursday.

Competing in his first decathlon for two years, the former member of Oregon Track Club Elite, opened with a win in the 100m, clocking a time of 10.23 seconds.

He followed that up with a victory in the long jump with a distance of 7.88m.

His morning session in Beijing ended with a throw of 14.52m in the shot put to improve his point total to 2,830; meanwhile, Canada’s Damian Warner is currently in second place with 2,747. The decathlon continues early on Friday morning beginning with the high jump.