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The effects of deep heat application during aerobic sporting performance
Govindasamy Balasekaran1, Nurul A Azmi2, Si Y Koh2
1Human Bioenergetics Laboratory, Physical Education & Sports Science, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore - govindasamy.b@nie.edu.sg.
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness
|September 12, 2025
Summary
Applying deep heat cream before aerobic exercise significantly improves endurance performance by increasing time to exhaustion. Athletes can use deep heat cream to enhance their exercise capacity and achieve better results.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Investigating the efficacy of topical deep heat cream application before aerobic exercise.
- Assessing its impact on physiological responses and endurance capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if deep heat cream enhances endurance performance during aerobic exercise.
- To evaluate the effects of deep heat cream on time to exhaustion, heart rate, and perceived exertion.
Main Methods:
- 15 healthy males completed three sessions: VO2max test and two cycling tests to exhaustion.
- Participants applied either deep heat cream or placebo cream to lower extremities before exercise.
- Time-to-exhaustion, heart rate, and rate of perceived exertion were recorded.
Main Results:
- Deep heat cream significantly increased time to exhaustion (487s vs. 404s) compared to placebo.
- Average and last stage heart rates showed significant positive correlations between treatments.
- Rate of perceived exertion was significantly lower with deep heat cream application.
Conclusions:
- Deep heat cream application before aerobic exercise demonstrably improves endurance performance.
- Athletes and sports enthusiasts may benefit from using deep heat cream to optimize endurance.
- Further research is recommended to explore deep heat's effects during exercise.
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