JP7814020B2 - Icing Method - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to, for example, a method of icing after exercise.

For example, athletes, whether professional or amateur, accumulate physical fatigue through training and competition. Leaving this physical fatigue untreated can lead to a decline in performance and the risk of injury, so how to recover from accumulated fatigue is important for maintaining performance and avoiding injury.

Common post-exercise methods include massage and bathing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a bathing method in which liquid is sprayed from an ejection nozzle installed in the bathtub, suspending the bather and massaging their body freely without being constrained by the floor or side walls.

This method is said to effectively massage key areas by floating in the bath liquid and receiving the upward current on the underside of the body. However, it is said that massage has little effect unless it is done properly, and the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 may be no different from simply taking a bath for some people, resulting in little effect. For this reason, other effective methods of post-exercise care have been desired.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-212196

In consideration of the above-mentioned problems, this invention aims to provide an effective icing method after exercise.

This invention is an icing method to be performed after exercise, characterized in that the body is immersed in hydrogen carbonated water, which has dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogen at high concentrations and whose temperature is adjusted to between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius, the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water is adjusted to 260 ppm or more and the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water is adjusted to between 0.1 ppm and 1.6 ppm, and the body is immersed in the hydrogen carbonated water for between 5 and 25 minutes . Note that this icing method does not constitute a medical procedure.
Dissolving carbon dioxide and hydrogen to a high concentration as described above means intentionally dissolving carbon dioxide and hydrogen in a solvent such as water or hydrogen carbonated water to increase the dissolved concentrations of carbon dioxide and hydrogen compared to the solvent before dissolution.

The above-mentioned "body immersion" includes immersing part or all of a person's body after exercise in bicarbonate water. For example, this includes immersing the shoulders, upper waist, or even up to the knees in a bicarbonate bath. It is preferable that the part of the human body that is immersed is at least about a quarter of the body, and it is even more preferable that the muscles used in exercise are immersed.

This invention effectively reduces heart rate after exercise and accelerates heat dissipation through vasodilatory effects, while preventing an excessive drop in body temperature. Furthermore, even while icing the immersed area, it can also prevent a decrease in maximum power during anaerobic exercise after icing. In this way, this invention allows the body to effectively rest and recover from fatigue after exercise.

The dissolved carbon dioxide concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water may be adjusted to 260 ppm or more, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water may be adjusted to 0.1 ppm or more and 1.6 ppm or less. The dissolved carbon dioxide concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water is preferably adjusted to 600 ppm or more, and more preferably adjusted to 800 ppm or more and 1400 ppm or less.

In another embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable to adjust the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water to 0.2 ppm or more, and it is preferable to adjust the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water to 0.2 ppm or more and 1.6 ppm or less.

Furthermore, it is more preferable that the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water is adjusted to 800 ppm or more and 1200 ppm or less, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water is adjusted to 0.4 ppm or more and 0.7 ppm or less.

It is also preferable to adjust the temperature of the hydrogen carbonated water to 15°C or higher and 22°C or lower.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the above-described icing method may also be performed before exercise, and in the above-described icing method, the before exercise may be the day before the exercise day.

This invention provides an effective icing method after exercise.

A line graph showing changes in heart rate. Bar graph showing the change in sublingual temperature. A line graph showing changes in blood lactate concentration. Bar graph showing the change in maximum power during anaerobic exercise. 1 is a bar graph showing the change in reactive oxygen scavenging activity after anaerobic exercise. A line graph showing changes in heart rate. Bar graph showing change in aerobic mechanical efficiency. Bar graph showing the change in anaerobic capacity. A bar graph showing the change in reactive oxygen scavenging activity between the first day and the fourth day. 1 is a correlation diagram between the rate of change in scavenging activity of hydroxyl radicals (.OH) and the rate of change in maximum power.

Through extensive research, the inventors have discovered an icing method that effectively recovers from physical fatigue after exercise by immersing the body for 5 to 25 minutes after exercise in carbonated water, in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved to a high concentration and the water temperature is adjusted to between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius.

Here, "carbonated hydrogen water" refers to water in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide have been dissolved. There are no particular restrictions on the method of production, as long as the amount of dissolved hydrogen or carbon dioxide is greater than that of the solvent (water or water in which hydrogen or carbon dioxide has been dissolved) before dissolution. Specifically, hydrogen and carbon dioxide may be mixed and dissolved in water, carbon dioxide may be dissolved in hydrogen water in which hydrogen has been dissolved in water, or hydrogen may be dissolved in carbonated water in which carbon dioxide has been dissolved in water.

In this embodiment, a mixed gas of 8% hydrogen and 92% carbon dioxide is made into fine bubbles, which are dispersed and dissolved in water to produce hydrogen carbonated water.
Specifically, hydrogen carbonated water is produced by dissolving and dispersing fine bubbles in water or hydrogen carbonated water, creating a mixed gas of 8% hydrogen and 92% carbon dioxide. This water is then poured into the bathtub. For longer bathing times, the hydrogen carbonated water produced by the above method is poured into the bathtub while the bather is bathing, and some of the hydrogen carbonated water in the bathtub is recovered. The mixed gas is dispersed and dissolved in the recovered hydrogen carbonated water as fine bubbles. Carbon dioxide and hydrogen are then redissolved in the recovered hydrogen carbonated water and circulated.

In this embodiment, hydrogen carbonated water is produced using a mixed gas of 8% hydrogen and 92% carbon dioxide. The mixed gas used to produce hydrogen carbonated water is
The ratio is not limited to this, and the hydrogen ratio may be changed within a range of 4% to 50%. For example, a mixed gas of 4% hydrogen and 96% carbon dioxide or a mixed gas of 50% hydrogen and 50% carbon dioxide may be used.

In this way, by dissolving a mixed gas of hydrogen and carbon dioxide in water as fine bubbles, it is possible to make the hydrogen and carbon dioxide more easily dissolve. Furthermore, for example, it is possible to temporarily create a state of supersaturation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This is thought to make it easier for the body immersed in the water to absorb hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

As mentioned above, the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water is adjusted to 260 ppm or more, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration is adjusted to 0.1 ppm or more and 1.6 ppm or less. The dissolved carbon dioxide concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water is preferably 600 ppm or more and 1400 ppm or less, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration is preferably 0.2 ppm or more and 1.6 ppm or less.

If the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration is less than 260 ppm, the effects of carbon dioxide absorbed through the immersed area will not be fully achieved. By contrast, by increasing the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration to 260 ppm or higher, the effects of carbon dioxide, such as vasodilatory effects, can be achieved.

Furthermore, if the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration is adjusted to less than 600 ppm, the carbon dioxide will escape from the hydrogen carbonated water over time, and the effects of carbon dioxide will not be fully achieved if some time has passed since the hydrogen carbonated water was produced. In contrast, by adjusting the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration to 600 ppm or more, the effects of carbon dioxide can be fully achieved even if some time has passed since the hydrogen carbonated water was produced.

Furthermore, if the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration is adjusted to be higher than 1400 ppm, the amount of hydrogen that can dissolve in the hydrogen carbonated water will decrease, weakening the effects of the hydrogen. Therefore, by adjusting the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration to 1400 ppm or less, the amount of hydrogen that can dissolve in the hydrogen carbonated water can be secured, allowing you to obtain the effects of hydrogen in addition to the effects of carbon dioxide.

If the dissolved hydrogen concentration is adjusted to less than 0.1 ppm, the concentration of hydrogen dissolved in the hydrogen carbonated water will be low, and the effects of hydrogen will be weaker. On the other hand, if the dissolved hydrogen concentration is adjusted to 0.1 ppm or more, the effects of hydrogen can be obtained in addition to the effects of carbon dioxide.

If the dissolved hydrogen concentration is adjusted to be less than 0.2 ppm, hydrogen will be lost from the hydrogen carbonated water over time, weakening the effects of the hydrogen. On the other hand, if the dissolved hydrogen concentration is adjusted to be 0.2 ppm or higher, the effects of hydrogen can still be obtained even if hydrogen is lost from the hydrogen carbonated water over time.

Furthermore, if the dissolved hydrogen concentration is adjusted to be greater than 1.6 ppm, it will be the same as the saturated solubility of hydrogen under normal pressure, making it difficult to dissolve carbon dioxide and weakening the effects of carbon dioxide. On the other hand, if the dissolved hydrogen concentration is adjusted to be 1.6 ppm or less, carbon dioxide can be dissolved, allowing the effects of both carbon dioxide and hydrogen to be obtained.

In addition, it is preferable to adjust the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration of the hydrogen carbonated water to between 800 ppm and 1200 ppm, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration to between 0.4 ppm and 0.7 ppm.

By adjusting the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration to between 800 ppm and 1200 ppm, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration to between 0.4 ppm and 0.7 ppm, it is possible to achieve a state in which both carbon dioxide and hydrogen are dissolved at high concentrations. This allows the immersed body to absorb sufficient amounts of carbon dioxide and hydrogen, allowing the full benefits of carbon dioxide and hydrogen to be obtained.

Furthermore, because both carbon dioxide and hydrogen are sufficiently dissolved, the dissolved concentrations of carbon dioxide and hydrogen are maintained at high levels even over time, allowing the effects of bathing to be maintained for a long period of time.

In addition, in this embodiment, the water temperature of the hydrogen carbonated water is preferably adjusted to between 10°C and 25°C, and more preferably between 15°C and 22°C.

If the water temperature is adjusted below 10°C, the body will be overcooled, which may reduce performance in subsequent exercise. Furthermore, if the water temperature is higher than 25°C, the amount of hydrogen and carbon dioxide dissolved will decrease, reducing the effects of hydrogen and carbon dioxide and reducing a certain degree of icing effect.

In contrast, by adjusting the temperature of the hydrogen carbonated water to between 10 and 25 degrees, the carbon dioxide and hydrogen can be sufficiently dissolved in the water, and in addition to the effects of the carbon dioxide and hydrogen, an icing effect can be obtained.

Furthermore, by adjusting the water temperature to between 15°C and 22°C, the body can be prevented from becoming overcooled while allowing carbon dioxide and hydrogen to be absorbed into the body through the immersed area. This allows you to obtain the benefits of bathing in carbonated hydrogen water while preventing a decline in exercise performance following the icing method of the present invention.

In addition, in this embodiment, the body is immersed in hydrogen carbonated water for 20 minutes, but the immersion time is preferably 5 to 25 minutes.
If the immersion time is longer than 25 minutes, the body may become excessively cooled, which may reduce performance in subsequent exercise, and if the immersion time is shorter than 5 minutes, the effects of hydrogen and carbon dioxide may not be fully achieved.
In contrast, by setting the immersion time to between 5 and 25 minutes, the effects of carbon dioxide and hydrogen can be obtained without the body being excessively cooled.

For example, if the icing effect is important, it is preferable to set the hydrogen carbonated water temperature at 10°C to 20°C and the immersion time at 5 to 10 minutes. If cooling down is important, it is preferable to set the hydrogen carbonated water temperature at 15°C to 25°C and the immersion time at 10 to 25 minutes.

'Fatigue' is defined as "a state of diminished bodily capacity accompanied by distinctive discomfort and a desire for rest, caused by excessive physical and mental activity or illness," and is generally classified into mental fatigue and physical fatigue.

In this embodiment, "fatigue" refers to so-called physical fatigue, meaning a state in which peripheral tissues such as muscles become exhausted due to stress on the body, resulting in a decrease in performance and work efficiency.

Specifically, a state in which performance or work efficiency declines refers to a decline in motor function, such as a decrease in endurance, such as a shorter exercise duration or a decrease in the number of repetitive exercises, or a decrease in maximum power in an anaerobic state or a decrease in muscle strength, such as muscular endurance.

In the present invention, "effective after exercise" means that it has the effect of efficiently alleviating fatigue accumulated through exercise and improving performance and work efficiency that have declined due to exercise load to a more normal state.

For example, compared to other methods, the rate of increase in heart rate and sublingual temperature after using the icing method of the present invention is lower, blood lactic acid concentration is reduced, antioxidant activity is improved, and exercise performance is improved after using the icing method of the present invention.

The present invention will be explained in detail below using Test Method 1 and Test Method 2, which relate to the post-exercise fatigue recovery effect of the present invention. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these methods.

First, we will explain Test Method 1 and Comparative Methods 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3, which are compared to Test Method 1, and their effects.

The subjects for Test Method 1 were 20 male university students who exercise regularly, and were prohibited from strenuous exercise on the day of the test. Furthermore, meals, with the exception of fluid intake, were restricted to the last two hours before the start of the test, and eating and drinking were prohibited during the test.

The subjects were divided into four groups of five people each, and each group underwent one of the following: Test Method 1, Comparative Method 1-1, Comparative Method 1-2, or Comparative Method 1-3. The subjects also had their heart rate, sublingual temperature, lactic acid concentration, anaerobic exercise capacity, and active oxygen scavenging activity after anaerobic exercise measured at appropriate times, and the average values for each group were calculated.

[Test Method 1]
After resting for a predetermined period of time (referred to as "Initial"), the subjects performed one set of aerobic exercise (referred to as "AerE1") and anaerobic exercise (referred to as "AnaE1"). After that, they rested for 20 minutes while half-bathing in hydrogen carbonated water adjusted to 20 degrees (referred to as "Rest"). After the rest, the subjects performed two sets of aerobic exercise (referred to as "AerE2") and anaerobic exercise (referred to as "AnaE2").
The dissolved hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water in which the half body was bathed was 0.5 ppm, and the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration was 1000 ppm.

[Comparison method 1-1]
This test was the same as Test Method 1, except that instead of "resting for 20 minutes with half of the body bathed in hydrogen carbonated water adjusted to 20 degrees," which corresponds to Rest in Test Method 1, the subject was made to "rest for 20 minutes in a quiet sitting position."

[Comparison method 1-2]
This test was the same as Test Method 1, except that instead of "having the subject rest for 20 minutes while half-bathing in hydrogen carbonated water adjusted to 20 degrees," which corresponds to Rest in Test Method 1, "having the subject rest for 20 minutes while half-bathing in tap water adjusted to 20 degrees" was used.

[Comparison method 1-3]
This test was the same as Test Method 1, except that instead of "subjects were allowed to rest for 20 minutes while half-bathing in hydrogen carbonated water adjusted to 20 degrees," which corresponds to Rest in Test Method 1, "subjects were allowed to rest for 20 minutes while half-bathing in carbonated water adjusted to 20 degrees" was used.
The dissolved carbon dioxide concentration of the carbonated water was 1000 ppm.

As aerobic exercise, participants pedaled a bicycle for 10 minutes at an intensity that was approximately 50% of their maximum oxygen intake.
In addition, as anaerobic exercise, full-power pedaling for 30 seconds (the so-called Wingate test) was performed.

Heart rate was measured after each condition (Initial, AerE1, AnaE1, Rest, AerE2, after AnaE2) using a heart rate monitor (RS800CX, manufactured by Polar Electro).
The sublingual temperature was measured after aerobic exercise (AerE1) and anaerobic exercise (AnaE1) before rest (Rest), and after rest (Rest).

Blood lactate concentrations were measured using a portable blood gas analyzer (epoc, Siemens Healthineers) after blood samples were taken after rest (Initial), after aerobic exercise after rest (AerE1), after rest (Rest), and after aerobic exercise after rest (AerE2).
Measurements and analysis were performed using a meter (manufactured by the company).

Anaerobic exercise capacity was measured during anaerobic exercise ('AnaE1' and 'AnaE2') using a high-intensity anaerobic power ergometer (powermax V, Combi) to measure maximum power during anaerobic exercise.

Reactive oxygen was measured by taking blood samples after rest (Initial), after aerobic exercise (AerE1 and AerE2), after anaerobic exercise (AnaE1 and AnaE2), and after rest (Rest). The amount of reactive oxygen (-OH) was measured using an electron spin resonance spectrometer (ES series, manufactured by JEOL). The amount of reactive oxygen was analyzed using the ESR spin trapping method.

The effects of Test Method 1 are described in detail below.

<Changes in heart rate>
FIG. 1 shows the changes in heart rate in Test Method 1 and Comparative Methods 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3.

As shown in Figure 1, with Test Method 1 and Comparative Methods 1-3, the heart rate could be reduced to 90 or below by resting after one set of aerobic exercise (AerE1) and anaerobic exercise (AnaE1).

Furthermore, compared to Comparative Methods 1-1 and 1-2, Test Method 1 and Comparative Method 1-3 were able to reduce the difference between heart rate before exercise (Initial) and heart rate after rest (Rest). In other words, by resting for 20 minutes while half-bathing in carbonated water or hydrogen carbonated water, the heart rate after exercise was able to be sufficiently reduced. This not only reduced the burden on the heart, but also efficiently promoted parasympathetic nervous system dominance, allowing the body to rest effectively. As a result, fatigue was recovered more effectively than with other methods (Comparative Methods 1-1 and 1-2).

The exact reason for this effect is unknown, but it can be interpreted as a synergistic effect of the vasodilatory effect of carbon dioxide, along with the diving bradycardia caused by half-body bathing. Despite the cold water, carbon dioxide exerts a vasodilatory effect by relaxing vascular smooth muscle, increasing the inflow of arterial blood, which ultimately promotes venous return and slows the heart rate.

Furthermore, with Test Method 1, the heart rate after anaerobic exercise (AnaE2) following rest (Rest) was significantly lower than the heart rate after anaerobic exercise (AnaE1) before rest. Therefore, Test Method 1 not only lowers heart rate, but also reduces the increase in heart rate during subsequent exercise. Therefore, it is believed that Test Method 1 allowed for more effective recovery from fatigue caused by exercise before rest (Rest).

<Changes in sublingual temperature>
Figure 2 shows the change in sublingual temperature after the first anaerobic exercise and rest in Test Method 1 and Comparative Methods 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3. The values in Figure 2 indicate the rate of increase in sublingual temperature after rest (Rest) relative to the sublingual temperature after anaerobic exercise (AnaE1).

As shown in Figure 2, the sublingual temperature of the subjects after resting increased in all three cases: Test Method 1, Comparative Method 1-1, Comparative Method 1-2, and Comparative Method 1-3. Specifically, the rate of increase in the sublingual temperature of the subjects after resting was 0.32% for Test Method 1, 1.25% for Comparative Method 1-1, 0.73% for Comparative Method 1-2, and 1.08% for Comparative Method 1-3.

From this, Test Method 1, Comparative Methods 1-2, and 1-3 significantly reduced the rise in the subjects' sublingual temperature compared to Comparative Method 1-1, in which subjects rested in a quiet sitting position after exercise. This is thought to be due to the immediate vasoconstriction caused by bathing in cold water, which helped regulate body temperature in a cold environment.

Test method 1, in which the subjects rested while bathing half their body, and comparative methods 1-2 and 1-3 will be examined in detail.
In Comparative Method 1-3, in which the subjects rested with their body half-bathed in carbonated water, the rate of increase in the subjects' sublingual temperature was higher than in Comparative Method 1-2, in which the subjects rested with their body half-bathed in tap water. This is presumably because the vasodilatory effect of carbon dioxide was effective, accelerating heat dissipation due to increased blood flow to the skin.

In contrast, Test Method 1, in which subjects rested while half-bathed in hydrogen carbonated water, significantly reduced the rise in the subjects' sublingual temperature compared to Comparative Methods 1-2 and 1-3. This suggests that resting while half-bathed in hydrogen carbonated water has a synergistic effect of efficiently lowering body temperature while maintaining the vasodilatory effect of carbon dioxide.

<Changes in lactic acid concentration>
FIG. 3 shows the changes in blood lactate concentration in Test Method 1 and Comparative Methods 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3.

As shown in Figure 3, in Comparative Method 1-1, the lactate concentration in the subjects' blood after rest increased, whereas in Test Method 1, Comparative Method 1-2, and Comparative Method 1-3, in which subjects took a half-body bath, the lactate concentration in the subjects' blood after rest decreased. This demonstrates that resting while taking a half-body bath in cooling water at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius has the effect of reducing the lactate concentration in the blood.

Furthermore, in Comparative Methods 1-2 and 1-3, the blood lactate concentration after rest (Rest) was reduced by 3.22 mM and 3.04 mM, respectively, compared to the blood lactate concentration after exercise (AnaE1). These results show that there was no significant difference in the amount of change in the subjects' blood lactate concentration between Comparative Methods 1-2 and 1-3.

In contrast, in Test Method 1, the blood lactate concentration after rest (Rest) was significantly lower at 3.91 mM compared to the blood lactate concentration after exercise (AnaE1). This suggests that a 20-minute half-body bath in hydrogen carbonated water at a temperature of 20°C after exercise can efficiently reduce blood lactate concentration and effectively recover from fatigue.

The exact reason why blood lactate levels decrease when bathing in hydrogen carbonated water is not clear, but it is possible that the transdermal influx of hydrogen molecules increases the blood's lactate buffering capacity.

<Anaerobic exercise capacity>
Figure 4 shows the change in maximum power during the second anaerobic exercise (AnaE2) relative to the maximum power during the first anaerobic exercise (AnaE1) for Test Method 1 and Comparative Methods 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3. The numerical values in Figure 4 indicate the rate of increase in maximum power during the second anaerobic exercise (AnaE2) relative to the maximum power during the first anaerobic exercise (AnaE1).

As shown in Figure 4, when comparing the maximum power of anaerobic exercise using Test Method 1 and Comparative Methods 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3, with the exception of Comparative Method 1-1, in which the subject rested in a quiet sitting position for 20 minutes, maximum power decreased during the second anaerobic exercise session (AnaE2). This indicates that after resting with half-body immersion in cooling water at a temperature of 20 degrees, performance tends to decline compared to the exercise session before the rest.

This is thought to be due to the fact that half-body bathing in cooling water with a temperature of 20 degrees leads to a drop in body temperature and muscle temperature. In other words, half-body bathing in cooling water with a temperature of 20 degrees causes vasoconstriction, reducing circulating blood volume, which may lead to a decline in performance during exercise after the half-body bath.

On the other hand, when comparing Test Method 1, in which the subjects underwent a half-body bath, with Comparative Methods 1-2 and 1-3, the rate of decline in maximum power during the second anaerobic exercise session (AnaE2) compared to the first anaerobic exercise session (AnaE1) in each test was -0.97% for Test Method 1, -6.42% for Comparative Methods 1-2, and -1.80% for Comparative Methods 1-3. This shows that when subjects rest after a half-body bath in carbonated hydrogen water, the decline in maximum power during anaerobic exercise after rest is suppressed compared to the other methods (Comparative Methods 1-2 and 1-3), and they are able to demonstrate performance that is almost identical to the first anaerobic exercise session.

<Scavenging activity of active oxygen after anaerobic exercise>
5 shows the hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging activity in a resting state (initial) and after the second anaerobic exercise (AnaE2) in Test Method 1 and Comparative Methods 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3. The numerical values in FIG. 5 indicate the rate of increase in the hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging activity after the second anaerobic exercise (AnaE2) relative to the hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging activity in a resting state (initial).

As shown in Figure 5, in Comparative Methods 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3, the hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging activity after the second anaerobic exercise (AnaE2) was reduced compared to the resting state (Initial). In contrast, in Test Method 1, the hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging activity after the second anaerobic exercise (AnaE2) was improved by approximately 23% compared to the resting state.

This suggests that by taking a half-body bath in carbonated hydrogen water between the first and second bouts of exercise, it is possible to reduce the damage to the body caused by hydroxyl radicals (-OH) generated during the second bout of exercise. In other words, even when exercising multiple times in a day, taking a rest break as per Test Method 1 between bouts can improve performance in subsequent bouts of exercise.

The exact reason why half-body bathing in bicarbonate water improves the scavenging activity of hydroxyl radicals (.OH) is not clear, but it is thought that the improvement in scavenging activity of hydroxyl radicals (.OH) is due to the transdermal immersion of hydrogen by half-body bathing in bicarbonate water, which enhances the scavenging activity of the large amounts of hydroxyl radicals (.OH) that are generated.

By resting for 20 minutes while half-bathing in carbonated hydrogen water at a temperature of 20 degrees, the subject's post-exercise heart rate is sufficiently reduced, recovering from fatigue. It also significantly reduces the rise in the subject's sublingual temperature, effectively lowering body temperature while maintaining the vasodilatory effect of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, it efficiently reduces the lactic acid concentration in the blood that increases with exercise, allowing for more efficient recovery from exercise-related fatigue.

In addition, even when performing continuous intense exercise, by resting in a half-body bath in bicarbonate water between exercise sessions, performance after the half-body bath can be comparable to that before the half-body bath. Furthermore, hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging activity can be significantly improved during exercise after the half-body bath, thereby improving performance during exercise after the half-body bath.

Next, we will explain Test Method 2 and Comparative Methods 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3, which are compared to Test Method 2, and their effects.

As with Test Method 1, the subjects for Test Method 2 were 20 male university students who exercise regularly, and were prohibited from strenuous exercise on the day of the test. Furthermore, meals, with the exception of fluid intake, were restricted to the last two hours before the start of the test, and eating and drinking were prohibited during the test.

The subjects were divided into four groups of five people each, and each group underwent one of the above-mentioned test methods: Test Method 2, Comparative Method 2-1, Comparative Method 2-2, or Comparative Method 2-3. The subjects in each group were measured for heart rate, aerobic mechanical efficiency, and anaerobic exercise capacity at appropriate times, and the average values for each group were calculated.

[Test Method 2]
On the first day, the subjects were allowed to rest for an appropriate period of time (referred to as "Initial 1"), after which they were asked to perform aerobic exercise (referred to as "Aer E1") and anaerobic exercise (referred to as "Ana E1"). After this, they were asked to rest for 20 minutes (referred to as "Rest 1") while half-bathing in carbonated water adjusted to a temperature of 20 degrees.

On the second day, after checking the subject's physical condition (referred to as "Initial 2"), the subject underwent high-intensity training (referred to as "TP1"). Afterwards, the subject was asked to rest for 20 minutes (referred to as "Rest 2") while half-bathing in carbonated water adjusted to a temperature of 20°C.

On the third day, after checking the subject's physical condition (referred to as "Initial 3"), the subject underwent high-intensity training (referred to as "TP2"). Afterwards, the subject was asked to rest for 20 minutes (referred to as "Rest 3") while half-bathing in carbonated water adjusted to a temperature of 20°C.

On the fourth day, after checking the physical condition of the subjects (referred to as "Initial 4"), the subjects were asked to perform aerobic exercise (referred to as "Aer E2") and anaerobic exercise (referred to as "Ana E2").
The dissolved hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water was 0.5 ppm, and the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration was 1000 ppm.

[Comparison method 2-1]
This test was the same as Test Method 2, except that instead of "resting for 20 minutes with half of the body bathed in hydrogen carbonated water adjusted to 20 degrees," which corresponds to Rest 1, Rest 2, and Rest 3 in Test Method 2, the subjects were made to "rest for 20 minutes in a quiet sitting position."

[Comparison method 2-2]
This test was the same as Test Method 2, except that instead of "subjects were allowed to rest for 20 minutes while half-bathing in hydrogen carbonated water adjusted to 20 degrees," which corresponds to Rest 1, Rest 2, and Rest 3 in Test Method 2, "subjects were allowed to rest for 20 minutes while half-bathing in tap water adjusted to 20 degrees" was used.

[Comparison method 2-3]
This test was the same as Test Method 2, except that instead of "subjects were allowed to rest for 20 minutes while half-bathing in hydrogen carbonated water adjusted to 20 degrees," which corresponds to Rest 1, Rest 2, and Rest 3 in Test Method 2, "subjects were allowed to rest for 20 minutes while half-bathing in carbonated water adjusted to 20 degrees" was used.
The dissolved carbon dioxide concentration of the carbonated water was 1000 ppm.

As aerobic exercise, participants pedaled a bicycle for 10 minutes at an intensity that was approximately 50% of their maximum oxygen intake.
In addition, as anaerobic exercise, full-power pedaling for 30 seconds (the so-called Wingate test) was performed.

High-intensity training consisted of eight 20-second cycles of maximum effort pedaling, with 10 seconds of rest in between. The subjects were constantly encouraged to perform at their best.

Heart rate was measured after each condition (Initial 1, AerE1, AnaE1, Rest 1, Initial 2, TP1, Rest 2, Initial 3, TP2, Rest 3, Initial 4, AerE2, AnaE2) using a heart rate monitor (RS800CX, Polar Electro).

Aerobic mechanical efficiency was measured by cycling for 10 minutes at an intensity that was 50% of maximum oxygen uptake as aerobic exercise (AerE1 and AerE2). Energy expenditure during this period was measured using an exhaled gas energy metabolism measuring device (AE-310S, Minato Medical). Mechanical exercise efficiency was calculated as the amount of work divided by energy expenditure.

Anaerobic exercise capacity was measured during anaerobic exercise (AnaE1 and AnaE2) using a high-intensity anaerobic power ergometer (powermax V, Combi) to measure maximum power during anaerobic exercise.

<Changes in heart rate>
FIG. 6 shows the changes in heart rate in Test Method 2 and Comparative Methods 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3.

As shown in FIG. 6, Test Method 2 and Comparative Method 2-3 were able to significantly reduce the heart rate compared to after exercise (AnaE1, TP1, TP2).
Furthermore, compared to Comparative Methods 2-1 and 2-2, Test Method 2 and Comparative Method 2-3 were able to reduce the difference between the heart rate before exercise (AerE1, TP1, TP2) and the heart rate after rest (Rest). In other words, by resting with a half-body bath in carbonated water or hydrogen carbonated water, it was possible to sufficiently lower the heart rate after exercise and effectively recover from fatigue.

<Aerobic mechanical efficiency>
7 shows the aerobic mechanical efficiency on days 1 and 4 for Test Method 2 and Comparative Methods 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3. The values in FIG. 7 indicate the rate of increase in aerobic mechanical efficiency on day 4 relative to the aerobic mechanical efficiency on day 1.

As shown in Figure 7, Test Method 2 improved the aerobic mechanical efficiency during the second aerobic exercise session (AerE2) relative to the aerobic mechanical efficiency during the first aerobic exercise session (AerE1) compared to Comparative Methods 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3. Specifically, the rate of increase in aerobic mechanical efficiency during the second aerobic exercise session (AerE2) relative to the first aerobic exercise session (AerE1) was +0.36% for Test Method 2, compared to -0.69% for Comparative Method 2-1, +0.30% for Comparative Method 2-2, and +0.27% for Comparative Method 2-3.

Based on this, it is believed that by continuously and continuously resting with half of your body bathed in hydrogen carbonated water at a temperature of 20 degrees, it is possible to promote blood flow and improve the efficiency of oxygen transport, and even improve aerobic exercise capacity.

<Changes in anaerobic exercise capacity>
Figure 8 shows the amount of change in maximum power during anaerobic exercise on days 1 and 4 for Test Method 2 and Comparative Methods 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3. The values in Figure 8 indicate the rate of increase in maximum power during anaerobic exercise on day 4 (AnaE2) relative to the maximum power during anaerobic exercise on day 1 (AnaE1).

As shown in Figure 8, in Comparative Methods 2-1 and 2-2, the rate of increase in maximum power during anaerobic exercise on Day 4 (AnaE2) relative to maximum power during anaerobic exercise on Day 1 (AnaE1) was -0.27% and -1.95%, respectively, indicating a decrease in maximum power during anaerobic exercise.

Furthermore, in comparative methods 2-3, the rate of increase in maximum power during anaerobic exercise on day 4 compared to maximum power during anaerobic exercise on day 1 was 0.75%, meaning there was almost no difference between days 1 and 4.

In contrast, with test method 2, the rate of increase in maximum power during anaerobic exercise on day 4 compared to maximum power during anaerobic exercise on day 1 was +2.94%, resulting in a significant increase in maximum power during anaerobic exercise and improved performance.

This shows that by having subjects rest while half-bathing in hydrogen carbonated water at a water temperature of 20 degrees, it is possible to suppress the decline in maximum power during anaerobic exercise during exercise the day after the half-bathing rest. Therefore, by resting after exercising by half-bathing in hydrogen carbonated water at a water temperature of 20 degrees, fatigue can be recovered, and performance can be improved during exercise the day after.

In this way, by resting for 20 minutes after exercise while half-bathing in hydrogen carbonated water at a temperature of 20 degrees, you can sufficiently lower your post-exercise heart rate and recover from fatigue. Furthermore, even when exercising the next day after resting for 20 minutes while half-bathing in hydrogen carbonated water at 20 degrees, you can improve your aerobic mechanical efficiency and increase your maximum power during anaerobic exercise. Therefore, even if you have consecutive games, you can efficiently recover from fatigue and improve your performance in the next day's exercise.

In addition, using a method similar to Test Method 2 (Test Method 3), the effect of immersing in hydrogen carbonated water after exercising every day will be explained.
The subjects were asked to carry out Test Method 3 described below.

As with Test Method 2, the subjects for Test Method 3 were five male university students who exercise regularly, and were prohibited from strenuous exercise on the day of the test. Furthermore, meals, with the exception of fluid intake, were restricted to two hours before the start of the test, and eating and drinking were prohibited during the test.

[Test Method 3]
On the first day, the subjects were allowed to rest for an appropriate period of time (referred to as "Initial 1"), after which they were asked to perform aerobic exercise (referred to as "Aer E1") and anaerobic exercise (referred to as "Ana E1"). After this, they were asked to rest for 20 minutes (referred to as "Rest 1") while half-bathing in carbonated water adjusted to a temperature of 20 degrees.

On the second day, after checking the physical condition of the subjects, they underwent high-intensity training, followed by a 20-minute rest period in a half-body bath in carbonated water adjusted to 20 degrees Celsius.
On the third day, after checking the subjects' physical condition, they were asked to perform high-intensity training, after which they were asked to rest for 20 minutes while half-bathing in carbonated water adjusted to 20 degrees.

On the fourth day, after checking the subject's physical condition (referred to as "Initial 4"), the subject was instructed to perform aerobic exercise (referred to as "Aer E4") and anaerobic exercise (referred to as "Ana E4"). After this, the subject was instructed to rest for 20 minutes (referred to as "Rest 4") while half-bathing in carbonated water adjusted to a temperature of 20°C.
The dissolved hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water was 0.5 ppm, and the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration was 1000 ppm.

Blood samples were taken from the subjects on the first day at rest (Initial 1), after anaerobic exercise (AnaE1), and after a half-body bath in carbonated water (Rest 1), and on the fourth day when their physical condition was checked (Initial 4), after anaerobic exercise (AnaE4), and after a half-body bath in carbonated water (Rest 4). The amount of active oxygen (OH) was measured using an electron spin resonance device (ES series, manufactured by JEOL). The amount of active oxygen was analyzed using the ESR spin trapping method. The amount of active oxygen was calculated as the average value for five subjects.

<Changes in reactive oxygen scavenging activity between the first and fourth days>
FIG. 9 shows the hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging activity in Test Method 3 during rest on the first day (Initial 1), after anaerobic exercise (AnaE1) and a half-body bath in bicarbonate water (Rest 1), and during physical condition check on the fourth day (Initial 4), after anaerobic exercise (AnaE4) and a half-body bath in bicarbonate water (Rest 4) (*p<0.05, **p<0.01).

As shown in Figure 9, the active oxygen scavenging activity after a half-body bath in carbonated water on the fourth day (Rest 4) was significantly improved compared to the active oxygen scavenging activity after a half-body bath in carbonated water on the first day (Rest 1). This shows that by bathing half-body in carbonated water every day after exercise, active oxygen scavenging activity is improved even when exercising every day.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging activity after anaerobic exercise (AnaE4) followed by a half-body bath in bicarbonate water (Rest4) was significantly improved compared to the hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging activity after anaerobic exercise (AnaE4) on the fourth day. This is a change in hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging activity that was not observed on the first day. This indicates that by performing a half-body bath in bicarbonate water every day after exercise, the active oxygen scavenging activity after a half-body bath in bicarbonate water after exercise on the day of exercise is improved more than the active oxygen scavenging activity after exercise.
In other words, it was suggested that the damage to the body caused by active oxygen generated during daily exercise can be reduced by taking a half-body bath in hydrogen carbonated water every day after exercise.

Furthermore, in Test Method 3, the correlation between the rate of change in hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging activity and the rate of change in maximum power during anaerobic exercise during anaerobic exercise on the first day (AnaE1) and the fourth day (AnaE4) was examined. Figure 10 shows the rate of change in maximum power during anaerobic exercise versus the rate of change in hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging activity for five subjects.

As described above, anaerobic exercise capacity was measured during anaerobic exercise (AnaE1 and AnaE4) using a high-intensity anaerobic power ergometer (powermax V, Combi) to measure maximum power during anaerobic exercise.

As shown in Figure 10, people with a greater rate of change in hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging activity tended to have improved maximum power during anaerobic exercise, even if they exercised every day. This suggests that improved hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging activity reduces biological damage, allowing people to fully exert maximum power during subsequent anaerobic exercise.

In other words, half-body bathing in bicarbonate water after daily exercise tends to improve the scavenging activity of hydroxyl radicals (.OH) after the half-body bath (see Figure 9), so it can be expected that the maximum power achieved during subsequent anaerobic exercise will be equivalent to that achieved on the first day, or even be higher than on the first day.

As such, by taking a half-body bath in carbonated hydrogen water after daily exercise, the hydroxyl radical (·OH) scavenging activity effect was improved on the fourth day. Therefore, by repeatedly taking a half-body bath in carbonated hydrogen water after exercise, it is possible to improve hydroxyl radical (·OH) scavenging activity and to maintain or improve performance even when exercising daily.

Therefore, even if you have consecutive matches, immersing yourself in hydrogen carbonated water after exercise can be expected to efficiently recover from fatigue and maintain or improve your performance the next day. For example, immersing yourself in hydrogen carbonated water after exercise up until the day before a match (exercise day) can be expected to improve your performance in the match (exercise).

Claims (8)

An icing method to be performed after exercise, comprising:
The body is immersed in hydrogen carbonated water , which has high concentrations of dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogen and whose temperature is adjusted to be between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius.
The dissolved concentration of carbon dioxide in the hydrogen carbonated water is 260 ppm or more,
The dissolved hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water is adjusted to 0.1 ppm or more and 1.6 ppm or less,
Immerse your body in the hydrogen carbonated water for 5 to 25 minutes.
Icing methods (excluding medical procedures) . The dissolved concentration of carbon dioxide in the hydrogen carbonated water was adjusted to 600 ppm or more.
The icing method according to claim 1 (excluding medical procedures) . The dissolved concentration of carbon dioxide in the hydrogen carbonated water was adjusted to 800 ppm or more and 1200 ppm or less.
The icing method according to claim 1 (excluding medical procedures) . The dissolved hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water was adjusted to 0.2 ppm or more.
An icing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 (excluding medical procedures) . The dissolved hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen carbonated water was adjusted to 0.4 ppm or more and 0.7 ppm or less.
The icing method according to claim 4 (excluding medical procedures) . The temperature of the hydrogen carbonated water was adjusted to 15 to 22 degrees.
An icing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 (excluding medical procedures) . An icing method (excluding medical procedures) in which the icing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is also performed before exercise. The icing method according to claim 7 ,
The pre-exercise icing method is the icing performed the day before the exercise day (excluding medical procedures) .