A comparison of two formulas of topical menthol on vascular responses and perceived intensity prior to and follow a bout of maximum voluntary muscular contractions (MVMCs)

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to compare the vascular responses in the brachial artery and perceived intensity of two different formulas of topical menthol gels prior to and following a bout of maximum voluntary muscular contractions (MVMCs).18 adults completed the same protocol on different days using blinded topical menthol gels (Old Formula and New Formula). Heart rate, brachial artery blood flow (ml/min), vessel diameter and reported intensity of sensation were measured at baseline (T1), at 5 min after application of the gel to the upper arm (T2), and immediately following five MVMCs hand grips (T3).The New Formula exhibited a significant decline in blood flow (−22.6%) between T1 and T2 which was not different than the nonsignificant declines under the Old Formula 1 (−21.8%). Both formulas resulted in a significant increase in perceived intensity of sensation between T1 and T2. Blood flow increased significantly with the New Formula (488%) between T2 and T3 and nonsignificantly with the Old Formula (355%).