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Oral l-menthol reduces thermal sensation, increases work-rate and extends time to exhaustion, in the heat at a fixed rating of perceived exertion

T. R. Flood, Mark Waldron Orcid Logo, O. Jeffries

European Journal of Applied Physiology, Volume: 117, Issue: 7, Pages: 1501 - 1512

Swansea University Author: Mark Waldron Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1007/s00421-017-3645-6

Abstract

PurposeThe study investigated the effect of a non-thermal cooling agent, l-menthol, on exercise at a fixed subjective rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in a hot environment.MethodEight male participants completed two trials at an exercise intensity between ‘hard’ and ‘very hard’, equating to 16 on...

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Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology
ISSN: 1439-6319 1439-6327
Published: Springer 2017
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51419
Abstract: PurposeThe study investigated the effect of a non-thermal cooling agent, l-menthol, on exercise at a fixed subjective rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in a hot environment.MethodEight male participants completed two trials at an exercise intensity between ‘hard’ and ‘very hard’, equating to 16 on the RPE scale at ~35 °C. Participants were instructed to continually adjust their power output to maintain an RPE of 16 throughout the exercise trial, stopping once power output had fallen by 30%. In a randomized crossover design, either l-menthol or placebo mouthwash was administered prior to exercise and at 10 min intervals. Power output, VO2, heart rate, core and skin temperature was monitored, alongside thermal sensation and thermal comfort. Isokinetic peak power sprints were conducted prior to and immediately after the fixed RPE trial.ResultsExercise time was greater (23:23 ± 3:36 vs. 21:44 ± 2:32 min; P = 0.049) and average power output increased (173 ± 24 vs. 167 ± 24 W; P = 0.044) in the l-menthol condition. Peak isokinetic sprint power declined from pre-post trial in the l-menthol l (9.0%; P = 0.015) but not in the placebo condition (3.4%; P = 0.275). Thermal sensation was lower in the l-menthol condition (P = 0.036), despite no changes in skin or core temperature (P > 0.05).Conclusion These results indicate that a non-thermal cooling mouth rinse lowered thermal sensation, resulting in an elevated work rate, which extended exercise time in the heat at a fixed RPE.
Keywords: Menthol, Exercise, Heat, Thermoregulation, Perception, Pacing
Issue: 7
Start Page: 1501
End Page: 1512

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