The effects of cold pack during resistance exercises on intramuscular oxygen metabolism and its clinical application

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19329
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Aino University
• Principal Investigator: GOTO MASAHIRO 藍野大学, 医療保健学部, 教授 (10449853)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: コールドパック / 筋力増大 / 筋肥大 / NIRS / 筋組織内低酸素

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of using a cold pack during resistance exercises for enhancing muscle strength and muscle hypertrophy . Twenty-four males performed resistance exercises for 8 weeks. Both superficial and deep tissue temperature and the intramuscular oxy-Hb/Mb level during resistance exercise were significantly lower, and the myoelectric activity was significantly higher in cold-pack group (CG) than in regular exercise group(RG). The 8-week resistance exercise intervention increased isometric and 120/second isokinetic contraction force in CG significantly. The muscle cross-sectional area of the triceps brachii muscle increased significantly in CG than in RG. The results of this study suggest that using a cold pack during resistance exercises promotes intramuscular deoxygenation and myoelectric activity, and intramuscular hypoxia, a metabolite produced by resistance exercises, facilitates muscle hypertrophy as a long-term effect.

Free Research Field

スポーツ健康科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

筋横断面積及び筋力増大を目的にレジスタンス運動を行う時、筋の直上にコールドパックを利用することで電気的筋活動が増大し、且つ、筋組織内低酸素が促進した。筋組織内低酸素は筋肥大を促進する主要な代謝刺激の一つであることから、コールドパックの利用はレジスタンス運動の長期効果として生じる筋横断面積増大、筋力増大を促進したと考えられる。ここで得られた知見は健康増進分野だけでなく、筋機能改善やサルコペニア防止といったリハビリテーション分野で活用できる。