Effects of Head and Neck Cooling and Heating on Central and Peripheral Fatigue, Motor Accuracy and Blood Markers of Stress in Multiple Sclerosis and Healthy Men

Body fat (%)

时间窗: Every time in all conditions at the baseline

Body fat (%) was assessed using Tanita Body Composition Analyzer (Japan).

Body free fat mass (kg)

时间窗: Every time in all conditions at the baseline

Body free fat mass (kg) was evaluated using Tanita Body Composition Analyzer (Japan).

Body mass index (kg/m2)

时间窗: Every time in all conditions at the baseline

The body mass index (in kg/m2) was defined as the body mass divided by the square of the body height.

Change in muscle temperature (°C)

时间窗: Baseline, up to 60 minutes, up to 120 minutes, after 180minutes

Muscle temperature was measured using a needle microprobe (Intramuscular Probe MKA, thermometer model DM-852, Ellab) inserted approximately 3 cm beneath the skin surface into the vastus lateralis muscle of the right leg.

Change in plasma cortisol (nmol/L) concentrations

时间窗: Baseline, up to 60 minutes, up to 120 minutes, after 180minutes

Plasma cortisol concentrations (nmol/L) were measured using an AIA-2000 automated enzyme immunoassay analyser (Tosoh Corp, Tokyo, Japan).

Change in plasma dopamine (nmol/L) concentrations

时间窗: Baseline, up to 60 minutes, up to 120 minutes, after 180minutes

Dopamine concentrations (nmol/L) were measured using a kit for dopamine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (IBL, Hamburg, Germany).

Change in plasma prolactin (ng/mL) concentrations

时间窗: Baseline, up to 60 minutes, up to 120 minutes, after 180minutes

Prolactin levels (ng/mL) were measured using a kit for prolactin ELISA (IBL) and Gemini analyzer (Stratec Biomedical GmbH, Germany).

Body weight (kg)

时间窗: Every time in all conditions at the baseline

Body weight (kg) was evaluated using Tanita Body Composition Analyzer (Japan).

Change in involuntary torque (Nm)

时间窗: Baseline, up to 60 minutes, up to 120 minutes, after 180minutes

Involuntary torque of the quadriceps muscles were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex Medical Systems, USA) and a high-voltage stimulator (Digitimer DS7A, Digitimer, UK). Peak torques (in Nm) induced by electrical stimulation at 20 Hz,at 100 Hz, and at TT100 were measured.

Change in muscle contraction and relaxation (ms)

时间窗: Baseline, up to 60 minutes, up to 120 minutes, after 180minutes

The contraction and half-relaxation time (in ms) were measured in 100Hz stimulated contractions.

Change in central activation ratio (percent)

时间窗: Baseline, up to 60 minutes, up to 120 minutes, after 180minutes

To evaluate central activation ratio (CAR), a TT-100 Hz stimuli was superimposed on the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and the CAR was computed using the following equation: CAR = MVC/(MVC+TT-100 Hz) × 100percent, where where a CAR of 100 percent indicates complete activation of the exercising muscle and a CAR \< 100 percent indicates central activation failure or inhibition.

Change in muscle activity (Hz)

时间窗: Baseline, up to 60 minutes, up to 120 minutes, after 180minutes

Vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles electromyographic (EMG) frequency (in Hz) parameters of muscular activity were measured using surface EMG (Biometrics, UK) thorough neuromuscular function assessment.

Change in constant error

时间窗: Baseline, up to 60 minutes, up to 120 minutes, after 180minutes

The accuracy of the intermittent isometric contraction tasks was calculated as a constant error. Constant error = ∑(xi - T)/n where xi is the motor task performed (N·m); T is the target quantity, i.e., the motor task required; n is the number of trials; and Σ indicates the mean that was calculated considering the algebraic symbols (±).

Change in muscle activity (mV)

时间窗: Baseline, up to 60 minutes, up to 120 minutes, after 180minutes

Vastus medialis and vastus lateralis electromyographic (EMG) amplitude (in mV) parameters of muscular activity were measured using surface EMG (Biometrics, UK) thorough neuromuscular function assessment.

Change in subjective rating of perceived exertion

时间窗: Baseline, up to 60 minutes, up to 120 minutes, after 180minutes

Perceived exertion was assessed using the Borg scale, ranging from 6 (no exertion) to 20 (maximum exertion).

Change in voluntary torque (Nm)

时间窗: Baseline, up to 60 minutes, up to 120 minutes, after 180minutes

Isometric and isokinetic voluntary torques (in Nm) of the quadriceps muscles were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex Medical Systems, USA).

Change in absolute error

时间窗: Baseline, up to 60 minutes, up to 120 minutes, after 180minutes

The absolute error specifies the absolute deviation from the required target force. Absolute error = ∑\|xi - T\|/n where xi is the motor task performed (N·m); T is the target quantity, i.e., the motor task required; n is the number of trials; and vertical brackets Σ \| \| indicate the mean that was calculated without considering the algebraic symbols (±).