Palm Cooling and Heating Delays Fatigue During Resistance Exercise In Women

Abstract

We previously reported that cold application to the palms between sets of high-intensity bench press exercise produces an ergogenic effect in men. In this study, we hypothesized that palm cooling (PC) or heating during rest intervals between high-intensity weight training sets will increase total repetitions and exercise volume load (kilograms) in resistance trained female subjects in a thermoneutral (TN) environment. Eight female subjects (mean ± SD, age = 25 ± 6 years, height = 160 ± 6 cm, body mass = 56 ± 7 kg, 1-repetition maximum [1RM] = 52 ± 6 kg, weight training experience = 6 ± 2 years) completed 4 sets of 85% 1RM bench press exercise to failure, with 3-minute rest intervals. Exercise trials were performed in a counterbalanced order on 3 days, separated by at least 3 days in TN, Palm heating (PH), and PC conditions. Heating and cooling were applied by placing both hands in a hand cooling device with the hand plate set to 45° C for heating and 10° C for cooling. Data were analyzed using a 2-factor repeated-measures analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc tests. Palm cooling repetitions were significantly higher than TN repetitions during the second set, and PH repetitions were significantly higher than those of TN during the fourth set. Total exercise volume load (kilograms) for both PC (1,387 ± 358) and PH (1,349 ± 267) were significantly higher than TN (1,187 ± 262). In women, both heating and cooling of the palms between sets of resistance exercise increased the total exercise volume load performed. This ergogenic response to a peripheral sensory input is consistent with the central governor theory of muscular fatigue.

Different cooling strategies between sets for 30 seconds does not have beneficial effect on resistance exercise with blood flow restriction

“…The results of this study contrast with previous studies that demonstrated improved performance with cooling between sets during resistance training 7,8 , and decreased RPE 7 . This ergogenic effect is justified by "The Gate Control Theory."…”

“…Therefore, we can hypothesize that one of the hypotheses for the ergogenic effect in the Kwon 8 study called The Gate Control Theory may not occur in 30 seconds of cooling with BFR. The cooling time was adopted in this study according to the Kaatsu training methodology with time around 20 to 30 seconds 1,32 , being shorter than the studies Kwon 7,8 which was 3 minutes.…”

“…For strength training, the cooling strategy could maintain a high number of repetitions and the time under tension, favouring the muscle hypertrophy. Cooling techniques have improved performance in resistance training in men 7 and women 8 when applied to their hands, with a rest interval between sets of 2.5 and 3 minutes. The cooling procedure might change afferent signals from the body to the central nervous system (CNS), according to the Central Governor Model 9 .…”

“…Then, we cooled three different places (palm of hands; neck; tunnel of temperature), in different days, aiming to improve performance. The choice of the palm was related to positive results found in previous research on cooling and performance in strength training 7,8 . The cooling of the neck was because it is widely used in endurance sports 11,12 .…”

Per-Cooling (Using Cooling Systems during Physical Exercise) Enhances Physical and Cognitive Performances in Hot Environments. A Narrative Review

“…Furthermore, using an intermittent palm cooling device during a repeated leg press resistance exercise resulted in a higher power output [145,146]. It has been hypothesized that palm cooling allows a lower level of inhibition in the number of activated motor units, which results in a higher power output and number of repetitions [146].…”