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Effect of repeated hot water immersion on muscle strength, power, function and physical activity in healthy older adults: A randomised crossover trial

Melitta McNarry Orcid Logo, Kelly Mackintosh Orcid Logo

Experimental Physiology

Swansea University Authors: Melitta McNarry Orcid Logo, Kelly Mackintosh Orcid Logo

Abstract

Ageing leads to an increased prevalence of sarcopenia and frailty, characterised by progressive declines in muscle strength, power, function and reduced physical activity. Hot water immersion (HWI) could potentially improve muscle function, but this is yet to be explored in older adults. Twelve midd...

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Published in: Experimental Physiology
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71740
first_indexed 2026-04-14T11:08:40Z
last_indexed 2026-04-15T04:47:49Z
id cronfa71740
recordtype SURis
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spelling 2026-04-14T12:08:38.3541189 v2 71740 2026-04-14 Effect of repeated hot water immersion on muscle strength, power, function and physical activity in healthy older adults: A randomised crossover trial 062f5697ff59f004bc8c713955988398 0000-0003-0813-7477 Melitta McNarry Melitta McNarry true false bdb20e3f31bcccf95c7bc116070c4214 0000-0003-0355-6357 Kelly Mackintosh Kelly Mackintosh true false 2026-04-14 EAAS Ageing leads to an increased prevalence of sarcopenia and frailty, characterised by progressive declines in muscle strength, power, function and reduced physical activity. Hot water immersion (HWI) could potentially improve muscle function, but this is yet to be explored in older adults. Twelve middle-aged to older adults completed a randomised, controlled, crossover, trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID # NCT05618197), undergoing assessments before and after a six-week HWI intervention (two to three 60-minute HWIs per week) or control condition with a six-week washout between study arms. During HWIs, body position was adjusted to maintain rectal temperature at 38.5-39.0°C. Pre- and post-intervention and control measurements of peripheral muscle strength (isokinetic and handgrip dynamometry), lower body power and functional performance (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) consisting of balance, walking and sit to stand tests with motion and external force capture), and physical activity (accelerometry), were taken. Repeated HWI had no effect on the primary outcome peak quadriceps torque (P = 0.127, η2p = 0.125; n = 7), whilst grip strength increased in the control arm (P = 0.004) and decreased post-intervention compared to control (P = 0.039). SPPB total and component scores, lower body power, gait measures and physical activity levels were unchanged (all P > 0.05). Repeated HWI under the conditions employed did not improve strength, power, lower extremity function, or physical activity levels in this cohort, and does not appear to be an effective method to improve indices of muscle function in healthy older adults. Journal Article Experimental Physiology 0 0 0 0001-01-01 COLLEGE NANME Engineering and Applied Sciences School COLLEGE CODE EAAS Swansea University 2026-04-14T12:08:38.3541189 2026-04-14T12:05:37.7937226 Melitta McNarry 0000-0003-0813-7477 1 Kelly Mackintosh 0000-0003-0355-6357 2
title Effect of repeated hot water immersion on muscle strength, power, function and physical activity in healthy older adults: A randomised crossover trial
spellingShingle Effect of repeated hot water immersion on muscle strength, power, function and physical activity in healthy older adults: A randomised crossover trial
Melitta McNarry
Kelly Mackintosh
title_short Effect of repeated hot water immersion on muscle strength, power, function and physical activity in healthy older adults: A randomised crossover trial
title_full Effect of repeated hot water immersion on muscle strength, power, function and physical activity in healthy older adults: A randomised crossover trial
title_fullStr Effect of repeated hot water immersion on muscle strength, power, function and physical activity in healthy older adults: A randomised crossover trial
title_full_unstemmed Effect of repeated hot water immersion on muscle strength, power, function and physical activity in healthy older adults: A randomised crossover trial
title_sort Effect of repeated hot water immersion on muscle strength, power, function and physical activity in healthy older adults: A randomised crossover trial
author_id_str_mv 062f5697ff59f004bc8c713955988398
bdb20e3f31bcccf95c7bc116070c4214
author_id_fullname_str_mv 062f5697ff59f004bc8c713955988398_***_Melitta McNarry
bdb20e3f31bcccf95c7bc116070c4214_***_Kelly Mackintosh
author Melitta McNarry
Kelly Mackintosh
author2 Melitta McNarry
Kelly Mackintosh
format Journal article
container_title Experimental Physiology
institution Swansea University
document_store_str 0
active_str 0
description Ageing leads to an increased prevalence of sarcopenia and frailty, characterised by progressive declines in muscle strength, power, function and reduced physical activity. Hot water immersion (HWI) could potentially improve muscle function, but this is yet to be explored in older adults. Twelve middle-aged to older adults completed a randomised, controlled, crossover, trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID # NCT05618197), undergoing assessments before and after a six-week HWI intervention (two to three 60-minute HWIs per week) or control condition with a six-week washout between study arms. During HWIs, body position was adjusted to maintain rectal temperature at 38.5-39.0°C. Pre- and post-intervention and control measurements of peripheral muscle strength (isokinetic and handgrip dynamometry), lower body power and functional performance (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) consisting of balance, walking and sit to stand tests with motion and external force capture), and physical activity (accelerometry), were taken. Repeated HWI had no effect on the primary outcome peak quadriceps torque (P = 0.127, η2p = 0.125; n = 7), whilst grip strength increased in the control arm (P = 0.004) and decreased post-intervention compared to control (P = 0.039). SPPB total and component scores, lower body power, gait measures and physical activity levels were unchanged (all P > 0.05). Repeated HWI under the conditions employed did not improve strength, power, lower extremity function, or physical activity levels in this cohort, and does not appear to be an effective method to improve indices of muscle function in healthy older adults.
published_date 0001-01-01T05:47:49Z
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