Topical application of L-Menthol – Physiological and genetic considerations to assist in developing female athlete research: A narrative review

Article


Villegas-Serna, T., Wilson, L. and Curtis, C. 2024. Topical application of L-Menthol – Physiological and genetic considerations to assist in developing female athlete research: A narrative review. Journal of Thermal Biology. 119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103758
TypeArticle
TitleTopical application of L-Menthol – Physiological and genetic considerations to assist in developing female athlete research: A narrative review
AuthorsVillegas-Serna, T., Wilson, L. and Curtis, C.
Abstract

L-menthol is a cyclic monoterpene derived from aromatic plants, which gives a cooling sensation upon application. With this in mind, L-menthol is beginning to be considered as a potential ergogenic aid for exercise and sporting competitions, particularly in hot environments, however female-specific research is lacking. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize available literature relating to topical application of L-menthol and provide commentary on avenues of consideration relating to future research developments of topical L-menthol in female athletes. From available studies in male participants, L-menthol topical application results in no endurance exercise performance improvements, however decreases in thermal sensation are observed. Mixed results are observed within strength performance parameters. Several genetic variations and single nucleotide polymorphisms have been identified in relation to sweat production, fluid loss and body mass changes – factors which may influence topical application of L-menthol. More specifically to female athletes, genetic variations relating to sweat responses and skin thickness, phases of the menstrual cycle, and body composition indices may affect the ergogenic effects of L-menthol topical application, via alterations in thermogenic responses, along with differing tissue distribution compared to their male counterparts. This narrative review concludes that further development of female athlete research and protocols for topical application of L-menthol is warranted due to physiological and genetic variations. Such developments would benefit research and practitioners alike with further personalized sport science strategies around phases of the menstrual cycle and body composition indices, with a view to optimize ergogenic effects of L-menthol.

KeywordsThermoregulation; Exercise; Performance; Sweat; Menstrual cycle
Sustainable Development Goals5 Gender equality
Middlesex University ThemeHealth & Wellbeing
PublisherElsevier
JournalJournal of Thermal Biology
ISSN0306-4565
1879-0992
Publication dates
Online23 Nov 2023
PrintJan 2024
Publication process dates
Submitted12 Jun 2023
Accepted16 Nov 2023
Deposited24 Nov 2023
Output statusPublished
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Restricted
Copyright Statement

Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103758
PubMed ID38070272
Web of Science identifierWOS:001132538700001
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/wx663

Download files


Publisher's version
1-s2.0-S0306456523002991-main.pdf
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
File access level: Open

  • 57
    total views
  • 17
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 2
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Seasonal variation and positional differences in anthropometry, strength, and power characteristics in English premiership women’s rugby union players
Yao, X., Austerberry, A., Bishop, C., Chiang, C., Wilson, L. and Turner, A. 2024. Seasonal variation and positional differences in anthropometry, strength, and power characteristics in English premiership women’s rugby union players. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 38 (5), pp. 924-931. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004736
Running event, age and competitive level as predictors of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry-derived body composition and bone health markers in female runners
Wilson, L. and Curtis, C. 2024. Running event, age and competitive level as predictors of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry-derived body composition and bone health markers in female runners. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 38 (7), pp. e366-e372. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004773
The effectiveness of school-based run/walk programmes to develop physical literacy and physical activity components in primary school children: A systematic review
Anico, S., Wilson, L., Eyre, E. and Smith, E. 2022. The effectiveness of school-based run/walk programmes to develop physical literacy and physical activity components in primary school children: A systematic review. Journal of Sports Sciences. 40 (22), pp. 2552-2569. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2023.2174720
Youths are less susceptible to exercise-induced muscle damage than adults; a systematic review with meta-analysis
Fernandes, J., Hayes, L., Dingley, A., Moeskops, S., Oliver, J., Arede, J., Twist, C. and Wilson, L. 2023. Youths are less susceptible to exercise-induced muscle damage than adults; a systematic review with meta-analysis. Pediatric Exercise Science. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2023-0108
Effect of hot water immersion on acute physiological responses following resistance exercise
Jackman, J., Bell, P., Van Someren, K., Gondek, M., Hills, F., Wilson, L. and Cockburn, E. 2023. Effect of hot water immersion on acute physiological responses following resistance exercise. Frontiers in Physiology. 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1213733
‘Works for some but not others’ A qualitative study on teachers’ perspectives and perceived pupil experience of a North West London school-based run/walk programme
Anico, S., Wilson, L., Smith, E. and Eyre, E. 2023. ‘Works for some but not others’ A qualitative study on teachers’ perspectives and perceived pupil experience of a North West London school-based run/walk programme. Education 3-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2023.2210582
Assessing the prevalence and risk of disordered eating in female netball players
Paice, K., Curtis, C., Papadopoulos, K., Turner, A. and Wilson, L. 2022. Assessing the prevalence and risk of disordered eating in female netball players. BASES conference 2022. Leicester, UK 15 - 16 Nov 2022 Taylor & Francis (Routledge). pp. 32-32 https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2022.2125766
A combination of cherry juice and cold water immersion does not enhance marathon recovery compared to either treatment in isolation: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Difranco, I., Cockburn, E., Dimitriou, L., Paice, K., Sinclair, S., Faki, T., Hills, F., Gondek, M., Wood, A. and Wilson, L. 2022. A combination of cherry juice and cold water immersion does not enhance marathon recovery compared to either treatment in isolation: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.957950
Investigating the prevalence of low energy availability, disordered eating and eating disorders in competitive and recreational female endurance runners
Dervish, R., Wilson, L. and Curtis, C. 2022. Investigating the prevalence of low energy availability, disordered eating and eating disorders in competitive and recreational female endurance runners. European Journal of Sport Science. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2022.2079423
Quantifying frequency of use of methods of body mass loss in competing UK powerlifters
Wood, T., Wilson, L. and Curtis, C. 2022. Quantifying frequency of use of methods of body mass loss in competing UK powerlifters. Performance Enhancement & Health. 10 (2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2022.100221
Prevalence of disordered eating, eating disorders and risk of low energy availability in professional, competitive and recreational female athletes based in the United Kingdom
Sharps, F., Wilson, L., Graham, C. and Curtis, C. 2022. Prevalence of disordered eating, eating disorders and risk of low energy availability in professional, competitive and recreational female athletes based in the United Kingdom. European Journal of Sport Science. 22 (9), pp. 1445-1451. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1943712
Cold water immersion offers no functional or perceptual benefit compared to a sham intervention during a resistance training program
Wilson, L., Dimitriou, L., Hills, F., Gondek, M., Van Wyk, A., Turek, V., Rivkin, T., Villiere, A., Jarvis, P., Miller, S., Turner, A. and Cockburn, E. 2021. Cold water immersion offers no functional or perceptual benefit compared to a sham intervention during a resistance training program. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 35 (10), pp. 2720-2727. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000004097
A pilot study to determine whether repeated post-exercise cryotherapy exposure augments physiological and perceptual responses to cold
Wilson, L., Dimitriou, L., Hills, F., Gondek, M., Van Wyk, A., Turek, V., Rivkin, T., Villiere, A., Jarvis, P., Miller, S., Turner, A. and Cockburn, E. 2020. A pilot study to determine whether repeated post-exercise cryotherapy exposure augments physiological and perceptual responses to cold. 25th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. Virtual (due to Covid-19), initial venue Sevilla, Andalucia, Spain 28 - 30 Oct 2020
Influence of tart cherry juice on airway biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress following a 42.2km trail run
Dimitriou, L., Yagnik, D., Wood, A., Sinclair, S., Paice, K., Wilson, L., Hills, F., Gondek, M., Kwan Xue Bin, K., Howatson, G. and Cockburn, E. 2018. Influence of tart cherry juice on airway biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress following a 42.2km trail run. 23rd annual congress of the European College of Sport Science. Dublin, Ireland 04 - 07 Jul 2018
The impact of cryotherapy versus placebo interventions on recovery following strenuous exercise, and adaptations to resistance training
Wilson, L. 2019. The impact of cryotherapy versus placebo interventions on recovery following strenuous exercise, and adaptations to resistance training. PhD thesis Middlesex University School of Science and Technology
The influence of repeated cold water immersion on adaptations to strength and power training
Wilson, L., Dimitriou, L., Gondek, M., Hills, F. and Cockburn, E. 2018. The influence of repeated cold water immersion on adaptations to strength and power training. 23rd Annual Congress of the ECSS 2018. Dublin, UK 04 - 07 Jul 2018 European College of Sport Science. pp. 94
Whole body cryotherapy, cold water immersion, or a placebo following resistance exercise: a case of mind over matter?
Wilson, L., Dimitriou, L., Hills, F., Gondek, M. and Cockburn, E. 2019. Whole body cryotherapy, cold water immersion, or a placebo following resistance exercise: a case of mind over matter? European Journal of Applied Physiology. 119 (1), pp. 135-147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-4008-7
Recovery following a marathon: a comparison of cold water immersion, whole body cryotherapy and a placebo control
Wilson, L., Cockburn, E., Paice, K., Sinclair, S., Faki, T., Hills, F., Gondek, M., Wood, A. and Dimitriou, L. 2018. Recovery following a marathon: a comparison of cold water immersion, whole body cryotherapy and a placebo control. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 118 (1), pp. 153-163. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3757-z
The effects of a single whole-body cryotherapy exposure on physiological, performance and perceptual responses of professional academy soccer players following repeated sprint exercise
Russell, M., Birch, J., Love, T., Cook, C., Bracken, R., Taylor, T., Swift, E., Cockburn, E., Finn, C., Cunningham, D., Wilson, L. and Kilduff, L. 2017. The effects of a single whole-body cryotherapy exposure on physiological, performance and perceptual responses of professional academy soccer players following repeated sprint exercise. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 31 (2), pp. 415-421. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001505
The effect of plasma volume on changes in biomarkers of muscle damage, inflammation, oxidative stress and leukocyte differentialfollowing a 42.2 km trail run, and the efficacy of recovery interventions
Cockburn, E., Hills, F., Wilson, L., Paice, K., Wood, A. and Dimitriou, L. 2017. The effect of plasma volume on changes in biomarkers of muscle damage, inflammation, oxidative stress and leukocyte differentialfollowing a 42.2 km trail run, and the efficacy of recovery interventions. BASES-FEPSAC Conference 2017. Nottingham, UK 28 - 29 Nov 2017 Taylor & Francis (Routledge). pp. s26
Influence of cold water immersion and cherry juice on recovery following a 42.2km trail run
Paice, K., Dimitriou, L., Wilson, L., Hills, F., Sinclair, S., Gondek, M., Kwan Xue Bin, X., Wood, A. and Cockburn, E. 2017. Influence of cold water immersion and cherry juice on recovery following a 42.2km trail run. BASES-FEPSAC Conference 2017. Nottingham, UK 28 - 29 Nov 2017 Taylor & Francis (Routledge). pp. s92
The influence of cold water immersion on markers of recovery following resistance exercise
Wilson, L., Dimitriou, L., Hills, F., Gondek, M. and Cockburn, E. 2017. The influence of cold water immersion on markers of recovery following resistance exercise. BASES-FEPSAC Conference 2017. Nottingham, UK 28 - 29 Nov 2017 Taylor & Francis (Routledge). pp. s66