Effect of water immersion methods on post-exercise recovery from simulated team sport exercise.
This study aimed to compare the efficacy of hot/cold contrast water immersion (CWI), cold-water immersion (COLD) and no recovery treatment (control) as post-exercise recovery methods following exhaustive simulated team sports exercise. Repeated sprint ability, strength, muscle soreness and inflammatory markers were measured across the 48-h post-exercise period. Eleven male team-sport athletes completed three 3-day testing trials, each separated by 2 weeks. On day 1, baseline measures of performance (10 m x 20 m sprints and isometric strength of quadriceps, hamstrings and hip flexors) were recorded. Participants then performed 80 min of simulated team sports exercise followed by a 20-m shuttle run test to exhaustion. Upon completion of the exercise, and 24h later, participants performed one of the post-exercise recovery procedures for 15 min. At 48 h post-exercise, the performance tests were repeated. Blood samples and muscle soreness ratings were taken before and immediately after post-exercise, and at 24h and 48 h post-exercise. In comparison to the control and CWI treatments, COLD resulted in significantly lower (p<0.05) muscle soreness ratings, as well as in reduced decrements to isometric leg extension and flexion strength in the 48-h post-exercise period. COLD also facilitated a more rapid return to baseline repeated sprint performances. The only benefit of CWI over control was a significant reduction in muscle soreness 24h post-exercise. This study demonstrated that COLD following exhaustive simulated team sports exercise offers greater recovery benefits than CWI or control treatments.
The University of Western Australia, Human Movement and Exercise Science, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
Jeremy
J
Ingram
Brian
B
Dawson
Carmel
C
Goodman
Karen
K
Wallman
John
J
Beilby
D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*
D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D003402:Creatine Kinase