Key Takeaway
Palm cooling between sets of bench press increased total exercise volume by 17% in trained women, supporting the intervention's effectiveness across sexes.
Summary
This study extended palm cooling research to women, testing whether cooling (10°C) or heating (45°C) the palms between sets of resistance exercise could delay fatigue. Eight trained women (6±2 years experience) performed 4 sets of bench press at 85% 1RM to failure with 3-minute rest intervals under three conditions.
Both cooling and heating increased total volume load compared to thermoneutral control. The cooling condition produced 1,387±358 kg total volume vs 1,187±262 kg for control — a 17% increase. Palm cooling specifically outperformed control during set 2, while heating showed benefit in set 4.
The authors interpret the results through central governor theory: thermal input from the palms may modify the brain's perception of fatigue risk, allowing greater motor unit recruitment regardless of the direction of temperature change.
Methods
- 8 trained women (age 25±6, bench press 1RM 52±6 kg)
- 4 sets of 85% 1RM bench press to failure
- 3-minute rest intervals between sets
- Three conditions: palm cooling (10°C), palm heating (45°C), thermoneutral control
- Randomized crossover design
Key Results
- Cooling volume: 1,387 ± 358 kg total
- Heating volume: 1,349 ± 267 kg total
- Control volume: 1,187 ± 262 kg total
- Cooling exceeded control significantly in set 2
- Heating exceeded control significantly in set 4
Limitations
- Small sample size (n=8)
- Only bench press tested
- Both cooling and heating showed benefit, complicating the thermal mechanism