Journal article
Topical application of isolated menthol and combined menthol-capsaicin creams: exercise tolerance, thermal perception, pain, attentional focus and thermoregulation in the heat
European Journal of Sport Science, Vol.23(10), pp.2038-2048
2023
PMID: 37161852
Abstract
We determined the effects of topically applied i) isolated menthol cream, ii) menthol and capsaicin co-application or iii) placebo cream on exercise tolerance, thermal perception, pain, attentional focus and thermoregulation during exercise in the heat. Ten participants cycled at 70% maximal power output until exhaustion in 35°C and 20% relative humidity after application of i) 5% isolated menthol, ii) 5% menthol and 0.025% capsaicin co-application or iii) placebo cream. Thermo-physiological responses were measured during exercise, with attentional focus and pain determined post-exercise on a 0-to-10 scale. Across the three conditions, time to exhaustion was 13.4±4.8 min, mean±SD infrared tympanic and skin temperature was 37.2±0.6°C and 35.1±1.2°C, respectively, and heart rate was 152±47 beats/min, with no changes between conditions (p>0.05). Perceived exertion was lower in the isolated menthol vs. all other conditions (p<0.05, ηp2=0.44). Thermal sensation was higher in menthol-capsaicin co-application vs. isolated menthol (p<0.05, d=1.1), while sweat rate was higher for capsaicin and menthol co-application compared to menthol (p<0.05, d=0.85). The median and interquartile range scores for pain were lower (p<0.05) in the menthol condition (8, 7-8) compared to both menthol and capsaicin (10, 9-10) and placebo (9, 9-10), which was coupled with a greater distraction (p<0.05) in the menthol condition (9, 7-10) compared to placebo (6, 5-7). Despite no performance effects for any topical cream application condition, these data reiterate the advantageous perceptual and analgesic role of menthol application and demonstrate no advantage of co-application with capsaicin.
Details
- Title
- Topical application of isolated menthol and combined menthol-capsaicin creams: exercise tolerance, thermal perception, pain, attentional focus and thermoregulation in the heat
- Authors
- Jenny Peel (Author) - Swansea UniversityKevin John (Author) - Swansea UniversityJoe Page (Author) - Swansea UniversityOwen Jeffries (Author) - Newcastle UniversityShane M Heffernan (Author) - Swansea UniversityJamie Tallent (Author) - University of EssexMark Waldron (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health
- Publication details
- European Journal of Sport Science, Vol.23(10), pp.2038-2048
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Date published
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.1080/17461391.2023.2211966
- ISSN
- 1536-7290
- PMID
- 37161852
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99725898802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
1 File views/ downloads
57 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Sport Sciences
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: SDGs from InCites