title: Effect of post-match cold-water immersion on subsequent match running performance in junior soccer players during tournament play.
abstract: In this study, we investigated the effects of two hydrotherapy interventions on match running performance and perceptual measures of fatigue and recovery during a 4-day soccer tournament. Twenty male junior soccer players were assigned to one of two treatment groups and undertook either cold-water immersion (5 × 1 min at 10 °C) or thermoneutral water immersion (5 × 1 min at 34 °C) after each match. High-intensity running distance (>15 km · h⁻¹) and total distance covered, time spent in low (<80% maximum heart rate), moderate (80-90% maximum heart rate), and high (>90% maximum heart rate) heart rate zones, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded for each match. Perceptions of general fatigue and leg soreness were recorded approximately 22 h after each match. There were decreases in both groups across the 4-day tournament for high-intensity running distance (P = 0.006, Cohen's d = 0.63), total distance run (P < 0.001, d = 0.90), time in high heart rate zone (P = 0.003, d = 0.90), and match RPE (P = 0.012, d = 0.52). Cold-water immersion was more effective than thermoneutral immersion for reducing the perception of leg soreness (P = 0.004, d = -0.92) and general fatigue (P = 0.007, d = -0.91), ameliorating the decrement in total distance run (P = 0.001, d = 0.55), and maintaining time in the moderate heart rate zone (P = 0.01, d = 1.06). In conclusion, cold-water immersion mediates the perceptions of fatigue and recovery and enhances the restoration of some match-related performance measures during a 4-day tournament.
authors.affiliation: South Australian Sports Institute, Kidman Park, SA, Australia. rowsell4@iinet.net.au
authors.forename: Greg J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Rowsell
authors.forename: Aaron J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Coutts
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reaburn
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hill-Haas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007101:Immersion; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*