Effects of passive heating intervention on muscle hypertrophy and neuromuscular function: A preliminary systematic review with meta-analysis

Passive heating has been therapeutically used to treat a range of health conditions. Further, this intervention presents as a potential exercise mimetic strategy showing acute and chronic effects on skeletal muscle adaptation and neuromuscular systems. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise the existing evidence on the effects of passive heating on muscle hypertrophy and neuromuscular function. Seven databases were searched (i.e., PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane, and SPORTDiscus) from 1937 to October 2019. Eligible studies included original papers using healthy animals or human samples (≥18 years; both sexes) that have used a control group or condition. Ten original articles were included in this review and four in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis detected an increase in muscle mass in animal samples seven days after passive heating (I2 = 65%, P < 0.01). The systematic review showed preliminary evidence that repeated passive heating exposures may promote muscle hypertrophy in animals and humans. Moreover, augmented muscle strength (involuntary and voluntary) may be observed after long-term passive heating (animals and humans) and increases in corticospinal excitability in humans after a single passive heating session. Passive heating has shown some potential benefits for skeletal muscle mass gain and muscle force improvement. Therefore, it is plausible to suggest that passive heating might be a worthwhile alternative to be recommended as an exercise mimetic for those people who lack or are unable to complete sufficient exercise.