Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2021 Jul 1;16(7):1014-1020. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2020-0414. Epub 2021 Mar 3.
The effects of menthol (MEN) mouth rinse (MR) on performance, physiological, and perceptual variables in female cyclists during a 30-km independent time trial (ITT) were tested.
The participants (n = 9) cycled for 30 km in hot conditions (30°C [0.6°C], 70% [1%] relative humidity, 12 [1] km/h wind speed) on 2 test occasions: with a placebo MR and with MEN MR. Handgrip and a 5-second sprint were measured before, following the first MR, and after the ITT. Ratings of perceived exertion Borg 6 to 20, thermal sensation, and thermal pleasantness were recorded every 5 km. Core temperature and heart rate were recorded throughout.
The ITT performance significantly improved with MEN MR by 2.3% (2.7%) relative to the placebo (62.6 [5.7] vs 64.0 [4.9] min P = .034; d = 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.14 to 2.8 min). The average power output was significantly higher in the MEN trial (P = .031; d = 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.9 to 15.0 W). No significant interaction of time and MR for handgrip (P = .581, η2 = .04) or sprint was observed (P = .365, η2 = .103). Core temperature, heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion, and thermal sensation did not significantly differ between trials at set distances (P > .05). Pleasantness significantly differed between the placebo and MEN only at 5 km, with no differences at other TT distances.
These results suggest that a nonthermal cooling agent can improve 30-km ITT performance in female cyclists, although the improved performance with MEN MR is not due to altered thermal perception.
测试薄荷醇（MEN）漱口水（MR）对女性自行车运动员在 30 公里独立计时赛（ITT）中表现、生理和感知变量的影响。
参与者（n=9）在炎热条件下（30°C [0.6°C]，70% [1%]相对湿度，12 [1]公里/小时风速）进行了 2 次 30 公里的测试：使用安慰剂 MR 和 MEN MR。在 ITT 前后和第一次 MR 后测量握力和 5 秒冲刺。每 5 公里记录一次感觉用力程度 Borg 6 到 20、热感觉和热舒适度。核心温度和心率全程记录。
与安慰剂相比，MEN MR 使 ITT 表现显著提高 2.3%（62.6 [5.7] vs 64.0 [4.9] min，P =.034；d = 0.85；95%置信区间，0.14 至 2.8 min）。MEN 试验的平均功率输出显著更高（P =.031；d = 0.87；95%置信区间，0.9 至 15.0 W）。在握力（P =.581，η2 =.04）或冲刺时，时间和 MR 之间没有观察到显著的交互作用（P =.365，η2 =.103）。在设定的距离内，核心温度、心率、感觉用力程度和热感觉在试验之间没有显著差异（P >.05）。只有在 5 公里时，舒适度在安慰剂和 MEN 之间存在显著差异，在其他 TT 距离则没有差异。
这些结果表明，非热冷却剂可以提高女性自行车运动员 30 公里 ITT 的表现，尽管 MEN MR 的表现改善不是由于热感觉改变所致。
