RESUMEN
Purpose: This study investigated the effects of combined mouth rinse and topical application of L-menthol on perceptual responses and running performance under thermoneutral conditions (22 ± 2°C and 30-60% relative humidity). Methods: Twelve recreational male runners (age: 31.7 ± 3.8 years; age range: 27-39 years) completed a familiarization, a control test (CON) and two maximal 10-km time trials (counterbalanced randomized crossover design) performed in different days with a non-thermal cooling intervention (combined application of a L-menthol mouth rinse and topical L-menthol gel - MEN) or placebo (PLA). Performance and perceptual measures (thermal sensation, thermal comfort, ratings of perceived exertion and affective response) were recorded for every km completed in the 10-km test. Results: Performance time was lower in MEN (P = 0.03) and PLA (P = 0.003) compared to CON, but no differences were found between MEN vs PLA (P = 1.00). All perceptual responses increased over time in all conditions (P < 0.0001), but only the thermal sensation was lower (P = 0.01) in the MEN compared to CON. Conclusion: L-menthol strategies promote fresh sensations and may improve running performance in 10-km time trial in recreational runners, but the performance improvement could mainly be due to a placebo effect.
Asunto(s)
Rendimiento Atlético , Carrera , Adulto , Humanos , Masculino , Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Mentol/farmacología , Antisépticos Bucales/farmacología , Poliésteres/farmacología , Carrera/fisiología , Sensación Térmica , Estudios CruzadosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In order to provide additional information on the behaviour of biochemical parameters related to stress responses to a specific long-term competition, we aimed to compare the stressful effects of a long-lasting competition on physiological variables in men and women. METHODS: This is a prospective observational analytical study. Twenty-five professional athletes, 15 men and 10 women, travelled 460âkm for 4 days in an international edition of the Ecomotion/Pro AR World. RESULTS: After the competition, we detected an increase in α-amylase and cortisol levels and a decrease in salivary immunoglobulin A (lgA) levels. The relative percentage changes in α-amylase, IgA and cortisol levels were significantly higher in women than in men, whereas women had lower relative percentage changes in glucose and lactate levels compared with men. There was a decrease in lymphocyte, eosinophil and monocyte counts, with relative percentage decreases in lymphocytes and monocytes being significantly higher in female athletes than in males. There were increases in the serum activities of total creatine kinase (CK), the creatine kinase myocardial isoform (CKMB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) at the end of the test, with significantly higher elevations of total CK, CKMB and LDH in men and ALT in women. CONCLUSION: Long-lasting competition induced stress, muscle damage, anaemia and changes in the immune system. Women had more intense responses of cortisol and leukocytes.