Key result
Topical application of 0.2% menthol spray to the legs significantly increased maximal isometric mid-thigh pull force production compared to a control spray (148 vs 140 kgf, p=0.035) in resistance-trained men.
Why the study?
Topical menthol application improves perception and alters submaximal neuromuscular recruitment, but its effects on perception and maximal dynamic and isometric lifting tasks remained to be explored.
Does topical menthol spray improve dynamic and isometric lifting performance in resistance-trained males?
RCT (n=9)
Double-blind
Randomized
No
Does topical menthol spray improve dynamic and isometric lifting performance in resistance-trained males?
Topical application of 0.2% menthol spray to the legs enhances maximal isometric lifting force and alters neuromuscular activity in resistance-trained males.
Menthol may enhance isometric lifting in training; hypothesis-generating and requires larger trials before any clinical use.
Over, DM, Arjomandkhah, N, Beaumont, JD, Goodall, S, and Barwood, MJ. Skin application of menthol enhances maximal isometric lifting performance. J Strength Cond Res 37(3): 564–573, 2023—Topical application of menthol to the skin improves perception (i.e., makes subjects feel cooler) and changes submaximal neuromuscular recruitment facilitating force generation. We explored the effect of menthol (0.2% concentration; sprayed on the legs), on perception and maximal, dynamic (DLT) and isometric (IMLT) (weight) lifting tasks. Nine resistance-trained male subjects (mean ± SD : 24 ± 5 years; 75.7 ± 8.8 kg; 174 ± 10 cm; 5 repetition maximum deadlift [5RM] 132.3 ± 28.5 kg) were tested using a repeated measures design; we hypothesized that performance would improve. Before completing the DLT (i.e., deadlift performance 75% 1RM) and a midthigh pull dynamometer IMLT, subjects were sprayed with (∼125 ml) of menthol or control spray. Performance, electromyography (root mean squared [rmsEMG], rectus femoris [RF], biceps femoris [BF], and medial gastrocnemius [MG]), perceptions (leg thermal sensation [TS legs ] and comfort [TC legs ] and perceived exertion [RPE] and readiness to train), heart rate, and skin temperature were measured. Data were compared using analysis of variance (effect size ) and t test to a 0.05 alpha level supported by Bayesian analysis. Dynamic lifting task performance was unchanged, although BF rmsEMG was higher (i.e., greater muscle activation in final [10th] repetition). Isometric lifting task force production was higher in the menthol spray (148 ± 30 kgf) condition (control spray 140 ± 30 kgf; p = 0.035, = 0.444) with corresponding higher rmsEMG (BF 3.8 ± 1.46 vs. control spray 2.9 ± 0.34 V; p = 0.049, = 0.403). TS legs was lower after menthol spray before IMLT; subjects felt slightly cool . Menthol spray enhances isometric weightlifting performance with corresponding changes in neuromuscular activity, partially supporting our hypothesis.
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Over et al. (2023) conducted an RCT in Healthy, resistance-trained (n=9). Menthol-Spray vs. Control-Spray (3% surfactants plus water) was evaluated on Maximal isometric lifting task (IMLT) force production (kgf) (ηp² 0.444, p=0.035). Topical application of 0.2% menthol spray to the legs significantly increased maximal isometric mid-thigh pull force production compared to a control spray (148 vs 140 kgf, p=0.035) in resistance-trained men.
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