The Effect of Heat-Therapy Surface on Muscle Temperature

Purpose

Heat therapy is increasingly considered for its potential benefit on muscle regeneration and recovery. However, it is not clear if all heating methods have the same effect on muscle temperature. This study aimed to compare water perfused suit (WPS), short wave diathermy (SWD), and hot water immersion (HWI) effectiveness in heating muscle temperature (Tmuscle), core temperature (Tcore), and the associated perceptual responses: thermal sensation (TS) and thermal comfort (TC).

Methods

Ten healthy volunteers (4 males, and 6 females) reported to the laboratory at 3 occasions, separated by 3-7 days, experiencing different interventions in each visit: either WPS, SWD, or HWI. Tmuscle at different depths (1cm, 2cm, 3cm) were measured pre/post intervention, while Tcore, TS, and TC were measured throughout the interventions.

Results

Muscle temperature increased with depth (p<0.001, ES = 0.93). In addition, Tmuscle depended on the device used (p=0.001, ES = 0.55), with SWD and HWI significantly increased Tmuscle at all depths, but WPS significantly increased Tmuscle at 1cm only. Tcore (p<0.001, ES= 0.71), TS (p=0.008, ES = 0.41), and TC (p<0.001, ES= 0.73) were significantly higher following HWI than other interventions.

Conclusion

The data reported that SWD and HWI are both effective methods at heating deeper muscle, while HWI also increased core temperature, and thermal sensation and discomfort.