Cold water immersion in the management of delayed-onset muscle soreness: is dose important? A randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Cold Water Immersion (CWI) is commonly used to manage delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) resulting from exercise. Scientific evidence for an optimal dose of CWI is lacking and athletes continue to use a range of a treatment protocols and water temperatures.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of four different water immersion protocols and a passive control intervention in the management of DOMS.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment.


METHODS
University Research Laboratory.


METHODS
50 healthy participants with laboratory induced DOMS randomised to one of five groups: Short contrast immersion (1 min 38 °C/1 min 10 °C × 3), Short intermittent CWI (1 min × 3 at 10 °C); 10 min CWI in 10 °C; 10 min CWI in 6 °C; or control (seated rest).


METHODS
muscle soreness, active range of motion, pain on stretch, muscle strength and serum creatine kinase.


RESULTS
10 min of CWI in 6 °C was associated with the lowest levels of muscle soreness and pain on stretch however values were not statistically different to any of the other groups. There were no statistically significant differences between groups for any other outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Altering the treatment duration, water temperature or dosage of post exercise water immersion had minimal effect on outcomes relating to DOMS.
Sports Institute Northern Ireland, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim BT37 0QB, United Kingdom.
Philip D
PD
Glasgow
Ulster Sports Academy, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim BT37 0QB, United Kingdom.
Roisin
R
Ferris
Ulster Sports Academy, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim BT37 0QB, United Kingdom. Electronic address: c.bleakley@ulster.ac.uk.
Chris M
CM
Bleakley
D000328:Adult; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D063806:Myalgia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D055815:Young Adult
Eccentric exercise; Ice bath; Muscle soreness