title: Effect of run training and cold-water immersion on subsequent cycle training quality in high-performance triathletes.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of cold-water immersion (CWI) on physiological, psychological, and biochemical markers of recovery and subsequent cycling performance after intensive run training. Seven high-performance male triathletes (age: 28.6 ± 7.1 years; cycling VO2peak: 73.4 ± 10.2 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)) completed 2 trials in a randomized crossover design consisting of 7 × 5-minute running intervals at 105% of individual anaerobic threshold followed by either CWI (10 ± 0.5° C) or thermoneutral water immersion (TNI; 34 ± 0.5° C). Subjects immersed their legs in water 5 times for 60 seconds with 60-second passive rest between each immersion. Nine hours after immersion, inflammatory and muscle damage markers, and perceived recovery measures were obtained before the subjects completed a 5-minute maximal cycling test followed by a high-quality cycling interval training set (6 × 5-minute intervals). Power output, heart rate, blood lactate (La), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were also recorded during the cycling time-trial and interval set. Performance was enhanced (change, ± 90% confidence limits) in the CWI condition during the cycling interval training set (power output [W · kg(-1)], 2.1 ± 1.7%, La [mmol · L(-1)], 18 ± 18.1%, La:RPE, 19.8 ± 17.5%). However, there was an unclear effect of CWI on 5-minute maximal cycling time-trial performance, and there was no significant influence on perceptual measures of fatigue/recovery, despite small to moderate effects. The effect of CWI on the biochemical markers was mostly unclear, however, there was a substantial effect for interleukin-10 (20 ± 13.4%). These results suggest that compared with TNI, CWI may be effective for enhancing cycling interval training performance after intensive interval-running training.
authors.affiliation: 1South Australian Sports Institute, Kidman Park, Australia; 2Health & Human Performance, CQUniversity, Rockhampton, Australia; and 3Sport and Exercise Discipline Group, UTS: Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Greg J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Rowsell
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reaburn
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Toone
authors.forename: Mitchell
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Aaron J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Coutts
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005080:Exercise Test; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014867:Water; D016753:Interleukin-10