Application and Evaluation of New Phase Change Materials in Textiles for Minimization of Heat Stress in Elite Athletes. Elite athletes experience heat stress during endurance events as they reach natural barriers of heat dissipation and thermal regulation. These stresses limit performance and present severe psychological challenges. Research showing that cooling body temperatures prior to competition can increase performance led the Australian Institute of Sport to develop ice jackets during the ....Application and Evaluation of New Phase Change Materials in Textiles for Minimization of Heat Stress in Elite Athletes. Elite athletes experience heat stress during endurance events as they reach natural barriers of heat dissipation and thermal regulation. These stresses limit performance and present severe psychological challenges. Research showing that cooling body temperatures prior to competition can increase performance led the Australian Institute of Sport to develop ice jackets during the 1990s. Our project will develop a new generation of athlete garments embedded with phase change materials that provide efficient cooling during competition, without the disadvantages of ice chilling. These novel materials may provide a competitive edge under the extreme conditions expected at the Athens Olympics and beyond.Read moreRead less