Effect of microtitanium impregnated tape on the recovery of triceps surae musculotendinous function following strenuous running

The Effects of Uniquely-Processed Titanium on Balance and Walking Performance in Healthy Older Adults

The increased risk of falls associated with advancing age has increased demand for methods to improve balance and mobility. The primary purpose of the study was to determine whether wearing Aqua Titan-treated stockings could improve balance and walking performance in an older population; secondary was to elucidate the mechanisms. In a randomized, double-blind crossover, 16 healthy older adults (age, 67.9 ± 4.2 years; BMI, 24.8 ± 3.1 kg/m²) performed two 4-day trials composed of baseline measures and fatiguing exercise on Day 1, with recovery measures at 14, 38 and 62 h post-exercise, wearing Aqua Titan and control stockings. Balance, walking performance, triceps surae stretch reflex, ankle range of motion and gastrocnemius muscle microvascular perfusion, blood flow and oxygen consumption were measured at baseline and during recovery. Aqua Titan had no effect on the microvascular parameters, but increased total ankle range of motion at 38 h (2.4°; 95% CI ± 1.8°) and 62 h (2.7°; ±1.7°), contributed to by increases in dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. There was decreasing persistence in the medial-lateral center of pressure movement at 38 h (q = 0, −0.0635 ± 0.0455), compared to control stockings. Aqua Titan garments hold potential for improving balance and mobility in older adults in the days following a bout of fatiguing exercise. The proposed mechanisms associated with enhanced sensory feedback require further exploration.

Local application of Aqua Titan improves symptoms of temporomandibular joint muscle disorder: a preliminary study

Aqua Titan (AT), comprising microscopic titanium particles dispersed in water, has been reported to have beneficial effects on muscle tissue. This study investigated the effects of local application of AT on symptoms in patients with muscle disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) compared to patients with joint disorders of the TMJ. Sixteen patients with unilateral masseter muscle pain during motion (muscle disorder group) and six patients with unilateral TMJ pain during motion (joint disorder group) applied an AT-permeated patch over the painful area every night for 2 weeks. Symptoms were evaluated clinically at the initial visit and 1 and 2 weeks later. Clinical symptoms in the joint disorder group showed no tendency towards improvement after 2 weeks. In contrast, mouth opening range with/without pain, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain during mouth opening and eating, and activities of daily living (ADL) scores in the muscle disorder group were improved significantly after 2 weeks. Multiple comparison tests in the muscle disorder group showed significant improvements in the VAS for eating and ADL score after 1 week. These results suggest that the AT patch has a potential supplementary role in the treatment of patients with muscle disorders of the TMJ.

The effects of uniquely-processed titanium on biological systems: implications for human health and performance

Titanium is biocompatible and widely utilized in a variety of applications. Recently, titanium in pico-nanometer scale and soluble form (Aqua Titan) has expanded its use to applied human health and performance. The purpose of this article is to review the current evidence associated with specific physiological responses to Aqua Titan-treated materials. In vitro studies have shown that application of Aqua Titan can modify membrane potential and long-term potentiation in isolated hippocampal neurons, suggesting reduced pain memory as a possible mechanism for reported analgesia. Proximal contact with Aqua Titan-treated titanium increased gene expression, protein synthesis, cell growth and adhesion in normal cultured muscle and bone cells, suggesting application for Aqua Titan in clinical implant procedures and wound healing. Evidence for beneficial effects on neuromuscular control of muscle-tendon function and improvements in running economy in human athletes was seen when Aqua Titan-treated tape was applied to the human triceps surae following fatigue induced by prior strenuous exercise. Finally, behavioral responses and effects on the autonomic nervous system to environmental exposure suggest Aqua Titan may promote a mild relaxant, or stress-suppressive response. Together, data suggest exposure to Aqua Titan-treated materials modulates aspects of growth and function in neuronal and other musculoskeletal cells with possible benefits to musculotendinous recovery from exercise and to the systemic response to stress.