title: Topical cooling (icing) delays recovery from eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage.
abstract: It is generally thought that topical cooling can interfere with blood perfusion and may have positive effects on recovery from a traumatic challenge. This study examined the influence of topical cooling on muscle damage markers and hemodynamic changes during recovery from eccentric exercise. Eleven male subjects (age 20.2 ± 0.3 years) performed 6 sets of elbow extension at 85% maximum voluntary load and randomly assigned to topical cooling or sham groups during recovery in a randomized crossover fashion. Cold packs were applied to exercised muscle for 15 minutes at 0, 3, 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise. The exercise significantly elevated circulating creatine kinase-MB isoform (CK-MB) and myoglobin levels. Unexpectedly, greater elevations in circulating CK-MB and myoglobin above the control level were noted in the cooling trial during 48-72 hours of the post-exercise recovery period. Subjective fatigue feeling was greater at 72 hours after topical cooling compared with controls. Removal of the cold pack also led to a protracted rebound in muscle hemoglobin concentration compared with controls. Measures of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, IL-1β, and muscle strength during recovery were not influenced by cooling. A peak shift in IL-12p70 was noted during recovery with topical cooling. These data suggest that topical cooling, a commonly used clinical intervention, seems to not improve but rather delay recovery from eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage.
authors: Department of Physical Education, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Ching-Yu
authors: CY
authors: Tseng
authors: Jo-Ping
authors: JP
authors: Lee
authors: Yung-Shen
authors: YS
authors: Tsai
authors: Shin-Da
authors: SD
authors: Lee
authors: Chung-Lan
authors: CL
authors: Kao
authors: Te-Chih
authors: TC
authors: Liu
authors: Cheng- Hsiu
authors: C
authors: Lai
authors: M Brennan
authors: MB
authors: Harris
authors: Chia-Hua
authors: CH
authors: Kuo
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004551:Elbow Joint; D005221:Fatigue; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000293:injuries*; D009211:Myoglobin / Q000097:blood; D010146:Pain; D020127:Recovery of Function; D055070:Resistance Training; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D009211:Myoglobin; D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form