Flood Tessa Rose
University of Chichester, UK College Lane University of Chichester, West Sussex, UNITED KINGDOM.
Curr Sports Med Rep. 2018 Apr;17(4):135-139. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000474.
Menthol is a compound of plant origin and has recently been used to aid exercise performance in hot, humid environments. Menthol creates a sensation of coolness when applied to the skin or mucosal surfaces stimulating the cold receptors. In these environments, fatigue is known to be accelerated and feelings of being hot are one of the main contributors to the early onset of fatigue. However, current research indicates that nonthermal perceptual cooling interventions could alter behavior in the heat by reducing thermal perception. This would allow the athlete to feel cooler when exercising at the same work rate in the heat. Menthol has been investigated as an internal and external intervention. Greater benefits have currently been found for internal interventions than external methods. Future research should focus on the mechanisms, dosage, and timing of both internal and external interventions, and the role menthol could play within speed or strength.
薄荷醇是一种植物源化合物，最近被用于帮助在炎热潮湿环境中的运动表现。当涂抹于皮肤或粘膜表面刺激冷感受器时，薄荷醇会产生凉爽的感觉。在这些环境中，疲劳会加速，炎热感是疲劳提前出现的主要因素之一。然而，目前的研究表明，非热感知冷却干预可以通过降低热感知来改变在高温环境下的行为。这将使运动员在高温下以相同的工作强度锻炼时感觉更凉爽。薄荷醇已作为一种内部和外部干预措施进行了研究。目前发现内部干预比外部方法有更大的益处。未来的研究应关注内部和外部干预的机制、剂量和时间，以及薄荷醇在速度或力量方面可能发挥的作用。
