title: Cold-water immersion decreases cerebral oxygenation but improves recovery after intermittent-sprint exercise in the heat.
abstract: This study examined the effects of post-exercise cooling on recovery of neuromuscular, physiological, and cerebral hemodynamic responses after intermittent-sprint exercise in the heat. Nine participants underwent three post-exercise recovery trials, including a control (CONT), mixed-method cooling (MIX), and cold-water immersion (10 °C; CWI). Voluntary force and activation were assessed simultaneously with cerebral oxygenation (near-infrared spectroscopy) pre- and post-exercise, post-intervention, and 1-h and 24-h post-exercise. Measures of heart rate, core temperature, skin temperature, muscle damage, and inflammation were also collected. Both cooling interventions reduced heart rate, core, and skin temperature post-intervention (P < 0.05). CWI hastened the recovery of voluntary force by 12.7 ± 11.7% (mean ± SD) and 16.3 ± 10.5% 1-h post-exercise compared to MIX and CONT, respectively (P < 0.01). Voluntary force remained elevated by 16.1 ± 20.5% 24-h post-exercise after CWI compared to CONT (P < 0.05). Central activation was increased post-intervention and 1-h post-exercise with CWI compared to CONT (P < 0.05), without differences between conditions 24-h post-exercise (P > 0.05). CWI reduced cerebral oxygenation compared to MIX and CONT post-intervention (P < 0.01). Furthermore, cooling interventions reduced cortisol 1-h post-exercise (P < 0.01), although only CWI blunted creatine kinase 24-h post-exercise compared to CONT (P < 0.05). Accordingly, improvements in neuromuscular recovery after post-exercise cooling appear to be disassociated with cerebral oxygenation, rather reflecting reductions in thermoregulatory demands to sustain force production.
authors: School of Human Movement Studies, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, Australia.|School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Qld, Australia.
authors: G M
authors: GM
authors: Minett
authors: School of Human Movement Studies, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, Australia.|Sport and Exercise Discipline Group, UTS: Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Lindfield, NSW, Australia.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Duffield
authors: Institut National du Sport du Québec, Montréal, QC, Canada.|School of Sport and Exercise Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Billaut
authors: School of Human Movement Studies, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, Australia.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Cannon
authors: Sport Science Sport Medicine Unit, Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence, Albion, Qld, Australia.|Praxis Sport Science, Paddington, Qld, Australia.
authors: M R
authors: MR
authors: Portus
authors: School of Human Movement Studies, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, Australia.
authors: F E
authors: FE
authors: Marino
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods; D004576:Electromyography; D005080:Exercise Test; D006339:Heart Rate; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007101:Immersion; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012881:Skin Temperature; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D010100:Oxygen; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: cold therapy; cricket; fatigue; heat strain; muscle damage; near-infrared spectroscopy; neuromuscular