The Influence of Topical Capsaicin on Thermoregulatory and Perceptual Outcomes During Exercise Within the Heat

0192-22-FB

The purpose of this study is to examine the human thermoregulatory impact of applying a commercially available capsaicin gel to the skin prior to moderate intensity walking under heated conditions. Experimental Visits will consist of 30 min of treadmill walking at a moderate pace (3.5 mph, 5% grade) under hot conditions (38°C, 60%RH) and will be randomized and counterbalanced for capsaicin gel or a hypoallergenic gel (control) application. Gels will be applied to areas commonly exposed during outdoor activity in warm conditions (shoulder to wrist, mid thigh to ankle). Accordingly, participants will wear shorts and a tank top shirt during exercise. Core temperature, skin temperature, galvanic skin response, laser doppler blood flow, and heart rate will be continuously recorded throughout the exercise bout via an integrated analog to digital converter. Sweat will be collected during exercise using commercially available absorbent patches. Thermal sensation will be assessed throughout exercise via the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) thermal sensation likert scale (cold to hot). Lastly, nude body weight will be recorded pre and post exercise for sweat rate determination. The capsaicin and control trials will be separated by a 7-14 day washout period

2022-05-25

2022-10-01

2022-10-01

Completed

Early phase I

12

Inclusion Criteria: * 19-45 years of age * cleared for physical activity via the 2022 physical activity readiness questionnaire (PARQ) * no self-reported adverse reactions to capsaicin Exclusion Criteria: * outside 19-45 years of age * not cleared for physical activity via the 2022 physical activity readiness questionnaire (PARQ) * self-report or signs of sensitivity to capsaicin * pregnant * breast feeding

{'studyType': 'INTERVENTIONAL', 'phases': ['PHASE4'], 'designInfo': {'allocation': 'RANDOMIZED', 'interventionModel': 'CROSSOVER', 'interventionModelDescription': 'Each Subject acts as their own control in a repeated measures design', 'primaryPurpose': 'BASIC_SCIENCE', 'maskingInfo': {'masking': 'NONE'}}, 'enrollmentInfo': {'count': 12, 'type': 'ACTUAL'}}

2024-03-15