Menthol is an organic compound that, in the case of topical or oral use, elicit a cooling sensation that appears to have a significant effect on selected subjective sensations – rate of perceived exertion, thermal comfort and thermal sensation, and consequently athletic performance, especially in a humid and hot environment. Majority of up-to-date research suggest, that, unlike the topical use of menthol, oral use of menthol results in greatest beneficial effect on athletic performance. Accordingly, the main purpose of present master thesis was to assess the effects of the consumption of a carbohydrate drink with the addition of menthol while cycling on cycling trainer on cycling performance, subjective sensations, cardio-respiratory and thermo-regulatory responses.
In the present study, 12 adult recreational, healthy male cyclists (age 28,8 ± 4,5 years; height 180,8 ± 6,0 cm; weight 78,6 ± 10,2 kg and maximum oxygen uptake 57.2 ± 6.3 ml/kg/min) underwent three experimental sessions. At the first visit, they performed basic exercise testing to determine exercise loads, ventilatory thresholds (VT) and respiratory compensation point (RCP). Between the second and the third visit, they performed two experimental tests, which consisted of one hour of cycling at 90% VT1, immediately followed by cycling to exhaustion at 105% RCP. During one hour of cycling at 90% VT1 they randomized and double-blinded once consumed a carbohydrate drink with the addition of menthol, and once a carbohydrate drink without the addition of menthol (placebo).
The obtained data showed that the consumption of a carbohydrate drink with the addition of menthol, compared with consumption of placebo did not extend the time to volitional exhaustion, and did not affect the monitored subjective sensations, cardio-respiratory and thermo-regulatory responses of the body to exertion. The only statistically significant difference (p < 0,05) between the conditions occurred in the beverage questionnaire, namely that subjects felt colder after consuming a carbohydrate drink with the addition of menthol than after consuming placebo.
The present study suggests that the consumption of a carbohydrate drink with the addition of menthol does not affect the rate of perceived exertion, thermal comfort and thermal sensation, as well as does not extend the time to volitional exhaustion or improve athletic performance of adult recreational, healthy male cyclist.
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