engleski

Effects of RunningMax® gel in skin temperature values and training recovery

PURPOSE Implementation of quality methods of rest can help athletes and amateurs reduce recovery time and by that improve their working abilities. In later years an increment in usage of additional supplements was evident, as the trend is to use as many accessories in training, both professional and recreational. Sometimes it is not easy to determine the quality of some products. In this study, the effects of a RunningMax gel made of natural ingredients was monitored by taking thermal images with thermal camera FLIR E60 and by monitoring the level of blood flow on applied area. METHODS Study consisted of 22 grown (age = 25, 0 ± 4, 6 years, height = 181, 5 ± 6, 8 cm, weight 84, 0 ± 10, 7 kg), physically active males and females from Faculty of kinesiology University of Zagreb. The tests were performed at Sports diagnostics center at Faculty of kinesiology. Protocol was consisted of 5’ rest to ensure normal skin temperatures, and then the RunningMax gel was applied on the area of m. soleus and m. gastrocnemius on right leg. Three thermal images were taken in the space of 5’. Left leg was also monitored and considered as the control sample. Data was statistically processed in Student’s T-test for dependent samples and ANOVA, and with some basic descriptive statistics. RESULTS Statistically significant differences in skin temperatures were found on all three spots on lower leg. It was found that the skin temperature was the lowest after the first thermal image measurement (1, 08 ± 0, 07 °C), or after 5’ of the first RunningMax gel application. Slight increase of temperature was found after 10’ and 15’, which can be explained due to evaporation of gel, however the skin temperature was still significantly lower than on the control sample. All participants reported significant cooling sense on the applied leg. In unpublished preliminary study at Faculty of medicine in Osijek, significant increase in blood flow in upper arm was found after the application of RunningMax gel. CONCLUSION All these evidences confirm usage of RunningMax gel as an recovery tool, or method which can improve the quality of recovery. It delivers best effects after five minutes, but it is recommendable that further investigation should be aimed towards the repeated application of cooling gel, and possible prolonged cooling effects.

thermal imaging, natural ingredients, cooling, sport, recreation

nije evidentirano