Cardiovascular and mood responses to an acute bout of cold water immersion.

Cold water immersion (CWI) may provide benefits for physical and mental health. Our purpose was to investigate the effects of an acute bout of CWI on vascular shear stress and affect (positive and negative). Sixteen healthy adults (age: 23 ± 4 y; (9 self-reported men and 7 self-reported women) completed one 15-min bout of CWI (10 °C). Self-reported affect (positive and negative) was assessed at pre-CWI (Pre), 30-min post-immersion, and 180-min post-immersion in all participants. Brachial artery diameter and blood velocity were measured (Doppler ultrasound) at Pre, after 1-min and 15-min of CWI, and 30-min post-immersion (n = 8). Total, antegrade, and retrograde shear stress, oscillatory shear index (OSI), and forearm vascular conductance (FVC) were calculated. Venous blood samples were collected at Pre, after 1-min and 15-min of CWI, 30-min post-immersion, and 180-min post-immersion (n = 8) to quantify serum ß-endorphins and cortisol. Data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA with Fisher's least significance difference and compared to Pre. Positive affect did not change (ANOVA p = 0.450) but negative affect was lower at 180-min post-immersion (p < 0.001). FVC was reduced at 15-min of CWI and 30-min post-immersion (p < 0.020). Total and antegrade shear and OSI were reduced at 30-min post-immersion (p < 0.040) but there were no differences in retrograde shear (ANOVA p = 0.134). ß-endorphins did not change throughout the trial (ANOVA p = 0.321). Cortisol was lower at 180-min post-immersion (p = 0.014). An acute bout of CWI minimally affects shear stress patterns but may benefit mental health by reducing negative feelings and cortisol levels.

Transcutaneous delivery of sodium bicarbonate increases intramuscular pH.

Introduction: Oral bicarbonate loading improves the buffering of metabolic acidosis and may improve exercise performance but can also result in gastric distress. Momentous' PR Lotion contains a novel composition intended to provide a transdermal delivery vehicle for sodium bicarbonate which could allow the same ergogenic effect without the gastric distress. The present study explored the effect of transdermal delivery of sodium bicarbonate in a resting condition. Methods: We measured the pH from intramuscular dialysate, via microdialysis, of the vastus lateralis during a 2 h application of PR Lotion (40 g of lotion per leg) in 9 subjects (3 women, 6 men). Venous blood samples were obtained for serum pH before and after application. A placebo time control was also performed in 4 subjects (2 women, 2 men). We hypothesized that PR Lotion application would increase pH of intramuscular dialysate. Results: PR Lotion resulted in a rise in pH of 0.13 ± 0.04 units (p < 0.05), which translates to a 28% reduction in [H+]. Increases in serum pH were smaller (∼9%) yet consistent (p < 0.05). In contrast, placebo time control pH tended to decrease (p = 0.08). The effect of PR Lotion on pH tended to correlate with the dose per kg body weight of each individual (r = 0.70, p = 0.08). Conclusion: These observations support the idea of transdermal bicarbonate delivery impacting pH buffering both systemically and intramuscularly. Further work investigating these potential benefits in an exercising model would be critical to establishing PR Lotion's utility as an ergogenic aid.

The impact of elevated body core temperature on critical power as determined by a 3-min all-out test.

Critical power (CP) delineates the heavy and severe exercise intensity domains, and sustained work rates above CP result in an inexorable progression of oxygen uptake to a maximal value and, subsequently, the limit of exercise tolerance. The finite work capacity above CP, W', is defined by the curvature constant of the power-duration relationship. Heavy or severe exercise in a hot environment generates additional challenges related to the rise in body core temperature (Tc) that may impact CP and W'. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of elevated Tc on CP and W'. CP and W' were estimated by end-test power (EP; mean of final 30 s) and work above end-test power (WEP), respectively, from 3-min "all-out" tests performed on a cycle ergometer. Volunteers (n = 8, 4 female) performed the 3-min tests during a familiarization visit and two experimental visits (thermoneutral vs. hot, randomized crossover design). Before experimental 3-min tests, the subjects were immersed in water (thermoneutral: 36°C for 30 min; hot: 40.5°C until Tc was ≥38.5°C). Mean Tc was significantly greater in the hot condition than in the thermoneutral condition (38.5 ± 0.0°C vs. 37.4 ± 0.2°C; means ± SD, P < 0.01). All 3-min tests were performed in an environmental chamber [thermoneutral: 18°C, 45% relative humidity (RH); hot: 38 °C, 40% RH]. EP was similar between thermoneutral (239 ± 57 W) and hot (234 ± 66 W; P = 0.55) conditions. WEP was similar between thermoneutral (10.9 ± 3.0 kJ) and hot conditions (9.3 ± 3.6; P = 0.19). These results suggest that elevated Tc has no significant impact on EP or WEP.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The parameters of the power-duration relationship (critical power and W') estimated by a 3-min all-out test were not altered by elevated body core temperature as compared with a thermoneutral condition.