title: The influence of menthol on thermoregulation and perception during exercise in warm, humid conditions.
abstract: Menthol has recently been added to various cooling products that claim to enhance athletic performance. This study assessed the effect of two such solutions during exercise in warm, humid conditions. Twelve participants (22 ± 2.9 years; VO2peak 47.4 ± 6.2 mL kg(-1) min(-1)) completed a peak power (PO(peak)) test and three separate exercise bouts in 30°C and 70% relative humidity after being sprayed with 100 mL of water containing either 0.05 or 0.2% l-menthol, or a control spray. During each trial, participants underwent 15 min of rest, spraying, 15 min of rest and 45 min of exercise at 45% of PO(peak). The following variables were measured: rectal temperature (T (re)), sweat rate (SR), skin blood flow (SBF), heart rate (HR), thermal comfort (TC) and sensation (TS) votes, irritation (IRR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Mean skin (MST) and body temperatures (Tbody) were calculated. There was no significant difference in MST, Tbody SR, SBF, HR, TC or RPE between conditions. Spraying with 0.2% menthol significantly (P < 0.05) elevated T (re) by 0.2°C compared to the other conditions. Both menthol sprays caused participants to feel significantly cooler than control spraying (P = 0.001), but 0.2% spraying induced significantly cooler sensations (P = 0.01) than 0.05% spraying. Both menthol sprays induced greater irritation (P < 0.001) than control spraying. These findings suggest that 0.05% menthol spraying induced cooler upper body sensations without measurable thermoregulatory impairment. T (re) was significantly elevated with 0.2% spraying. Irritation persisted with both menthol sprays while TC remained unchanged, suggesting a causal relationship. The use in sport of a spray similar to those tested here remains equivocal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Exercise Science, The University of Portsmouth, Spinnaker Building, Cambridge Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 2ER, UK. jason.gillis@port.ac.uk
authors.forename: D Jason
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gillis
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: House
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tipton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007509:Irritants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008610:Menthol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010465:Perception / Q000187:drug effects*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000502:physiology; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013546:Sweating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007509:Irritants; D008610:Menthol