Immersion with menthol improves recovery between two cycling exercises in hot and humid environment.

Endurance exercise performance is impaired in a hot and humid environment. This study compared the effects of cold water immersion, with (CMWI) and without (CWI) menthol, on the recovery of cycling performance. Eight heat-acclimatized cyclists (24.1 ± 4.4 years; 65.3 ± 5.2 kg) performed two randomized sessions, each consisting of a 20-min cycling trial (T1) followed by 10 min of immersion during recovery and then a second 20-min cycling trial (T2). Mean power output (PO) and perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded for both trials. Rectal and skin temperatures (Trec and Tskin) were measured before and immediately after T1, immersion, and T2. Perceived thermal sensation (TS) and comfort (TC) were measured immediately after T1 and T2. Power output was significantly improved in T2 compared with T1 in the CMWI condition (+15.6%). Performance did not change in the CWI condition. After immersion, Trec was lower in CWI (-1.17°C) than in CMWI (-0.6°C). TS decreased significantly after immersion in both conditions. ...