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Topical application of cream containing nonivamide and nicoboxil does not enhance the performance of experienced cyclists during a 4-km time-trial

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Abstract

Purpose

Topical application of nonivamide–nicoboxil cream to resting legs has been shown to enhance the level of oxygenated haemoglobin in leg muscles 15 min later. Here, we examined whether such application improves the performance of experienced cyclists in a subsequent 4-km time-trial.

Methods

Nine male cyclists [26 ± 8 years; 176 ± 9 cm; 73.5 ± 12.8 kg; peak oxygen uptake: 50.7 ± 4.0 mL min−1 kg−1 (mean ± SD)] performed three 4-km time-trials on an ergometer with either topical application of nonivamide–nicoboxil cream (CREAM) or cream without active components (SHAM) to both their thigh muscles or no application (CONTROL).

Results

Only the skin temperature immediately before and after the time-trial was higher with cream than SHAM and CONTROL (best p < 0.001, best d = 1.16). All other parameters evaluated, i.e., the average power output during the time-trial (p > 0.05, best d = 0.08), the tissue saturation index of the m. vastus lateralis (p > 0.05, best d = 0.57), cardiac output, heart rate, oxygen uptake, blood lactate concentration, and perceived exertion (p > 0.05, best d = 1.1) were similar under all three conditions.

Conclusions

Our present findings reveal that topical application of cream containing nonivamide and nicoboxil to the thighs of cyclists prior to a 4-km time-trial does not improve their power output, saturation of the m. vastus lateralis with oxygen, oxygen uptake, heart rate, cardiac parameters, or perceived level of exertion.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

Hb:

Haemoglobin

HbO2 :

Oxy-haemoglobin

HR:

Heart rate

NIRS:

Near-infrared spectroscopy

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

TSI:

Tissue saturation index

TT:

Time trial

VO2peak :

Peak oxygen uptake

W:

Watt

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Korbinian Bimmerle for his help with collecting the data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Integrative and Experimental Training Science, Department of Sport Science, University of Würzburg, Judenbühlweg 11, 97082, Würzburg, Germany

    Christoph Zinner & Billy Sperlich

  2. Department of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden

    Hans-Christer Holmberg

Authors
  1. Christoph Zinner
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  2. Hans-Christer Holmberg
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  3. Billy Sperlich
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Correspondence to Christoph Zinner.

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None of the authors has any conflicts of interest to declare.

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Communicated by Susan Hopkins.

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Zinner, C., Holmberg, HC. & Sperlich, B. Topical application of cream containing nonivamide and nicoboxil does not enhance the performance of experienced cyclists during a 4-km time-trial. Eur J Appl Physiol 116, 969–974 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3357-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3357-3

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