Supervisors info:
Ν. Γελαδάς, Καθηγητής, ΣΕΦΑΑ, ΕΚΠΑ
Β. Πασχάλης, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, ΣΕΦΑΑ, ΕΚΠΑ
Π. Μποτώνης, Επίκουρος, ΣΕΦΑΑ, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Intense eccentric exercise has been documented to induce muscle damage (EIMD), which is typically manifested by a decrease in the range motion (ROM), reduction of produced muscular force as well as by delayed onset of muscle pain (DOMS) and swelling. Cryotherapy has been suggested as an effective mode of enhancing recovery after EIMD but this approach is highly controversial. On the other hand, recent preliminary findings suggest that thermotherapy may be an alternative intervention for faster recovery after EIMD. The purpose of this study was to determine whether thermotherapy, by means of capsaicin application to the skin, could be an effective strategy to accelerate skeletal muscle recovery following eccentric exercise and enhance performance in subsequent muscular efforts.
Twenty-nine healthy, physically active young men underwent eccentric exercise consisted of 6 sets times 20 single-legged drop jumps- from a raised platform (0.20m high) with a 2- minutes break between each set. The eccentric exercise session was performed twice, one for the placebo (PL) and the other for the thermal therapy (HT) using a different randomly selected leg in each occasion. A two weeks interval was used between the two therapies. The thermal therapy included capsaicin patches (capsicum extract 0,025%) placed for 48 h post exercise on the exercised muscle groups (i.e., quadriceps femoris). Muscle damage indices [i.e. DOMS, ROM, and squat jump (SJ)] were assessed before each eccentric exercise and 48 hours after either placebo or capsaicin therapy. At the same time points, assessment of muscle oxygenation was also performed, using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS; vastus lateralis).
The eccentric exercise protocol induced significant alterations in all muscle
damage indices [i.e., DOMS, ROM and SJ) after both conditions (p < 0.05). However, DOMS were lower after the heat therapy compared to placebo therapy (p<0.026). No differences (p > 0.05) were recorded between experimental conditions with regard to local muscular hemodynamics, leaping and range of motion abilities.
Despite the fact that the application of capsaicin patches on the skin after intense eccentric exercise has an analgesic effect, it does not appear to improve subsequent exercise performance. The analgesic effect of capsaicin application to the skin might be due to the stimulation of thermo sensitive TRPV-1 channels. The unchanged exercise performance following capsaicin treatment remains to be resolved.
