Effects of Hot Baths Prior or After a Damaging Protocol on Muscle Function and HSP70 Expression

Summary

Muscle lengthening contractions lead to physiological responses such as strength loss, soreness, immune cell infiltration, and CK production, along with elevated heat shock proteins (HSPs), which protect and regenerate cells. Passive heating before or after exercise can aid in recovery by restoring strength and reducing soreness, requiring a core temperature of over 38.5°C for 20 minutes to be effective. Studies show that combined mechanical and thermal stress induces a cumulative HSP response, enhancing cellular protection. Thermal stress alone peaks at 16- 24 hours, whereas mechanical stress shows a biphasic response, with peaks at 3-6 hours and around 39 hours. Thus, combining heat with exercise could optimize HSP production, improving recovery by increasing and accelerating the HSP response. However, more research is needed to determine the best timing for thermal stress in human applications, especially in sports and therapy contexts.

This study aimed to compare the effects of hot-water immersion administered before versus after muscle-lengthening exercise on muscle function and HSP70 expression in healthy young athletes.

Conditions

• Recovery
• Mechanical Stress
• Heat Stress
• HSP70
• Cumulative Response
• Hot-water Immersion

Interventions

OTHER

Immersion

Immersion lasted 40 minutes with the goal of reaching a core temperature of 38.5°C in the heat-stress groups

OTHER

NIRS

NIRS

OTHER

isokinetic dynamometer

isokinetic dynamometer

OTHER

pressure algometer

pressure algometer

OTHER

Hokanson armband

Hokanson armband

Sponsors & Collaborators

• CH CORBIE

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

19 Years

Max Age

25 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-02-16

Primary Completion

2027-02-28

Completion

2027-02-28

Countries

• France

Study Locations