title: Does hydrotherapy help or hinder adaptation to training in competitive cyclists?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cold water immersion (CWI) may be beneficial for acute recovery from exercise, but it may impair long-term performance by attenuating the stimuli responsible for adaptation to training. We compared effects of CWI and passive rest on cycling performance during a simulated cycling grand tour.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four male endurance-trained competitive cyclists were randomized to CWI for four times per week for 15 min at 15°C or control (passive recovery) groups for 7 d of baseline training, 21 d of intensified training, and an 11-d taper. Criteria for completion of training and testing were satisfied by 10 cyclists in the CWI group (maximal aerobic power, 5.13 ± 0.21 W·kg; mean ± SD) and 11 in the control group (5.01 ± 0.41 W·kg). Each week, cyclists completed a high-intensity interval cycling test and two 4-min bouts separated by 30 min. CWI was performed four times per week for 15 min at 15°C.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between baseline and taper, cyclists in the CWI group had an unclear change in overall 4-min power relative to control (2.7% ± 5.7%), although mean power in the second effort relative to the first was likely higher for the CWI group relative to control (3.0% ± 3.8%). The change in 1-s maximum mean sprint power in the CWI group was likely beneficial compared with control (4.4% ± 4.2%). Differences between groups for the 10-min time trial were unclear (-0.4% ± 4.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although some effects of CWI on performance were unclear, data from this study do not support recent speculation that CWI is detrimental to performance after increased training load in competitive cyclists.
authors: 1AIS Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, Belconnen, ACT, AUSTRALIA; 2School of Medicine, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, AUSTRALIA; 3Appleton Institute for Behavioural Science, Central Queensland University, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA; and 4Sport Performance Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, NEW ZEALAND.
authors: Shona L
authors: SL
authors: Halson
authors: Jason
authors: J
authors: Bartram
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: West
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Stephens
authors: Christos K
authors: CK
authors: Argus
authors: Matthew W
authors: MW
authors: Driller
authors: Charli
authors: C
authors: Sargent
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Lastella
authors: Will G
authors: WG
authors: Hopkins
authors: David T
authors: DT
authors: Martin
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy; D008297:Male; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult