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Comparative Study
. 2009 Nov;107(4):411-7.
doi: 10.1007/s00421-009-1138-y. Epub 2009 Aug 4.

Effect of local cold-pack application on systemic anabolic and inflammatory response to sprint-interval training: a prospective comparative trial

Dan Nemet  1 , Yoav Meckel, Sheli Bar-Sela, Frank Zaldivar, Dan M Cooper, Alon Eliakim
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Effect of local cold-pack application on systemic anabolic and inflammatory response to sprint-interval training: a prospective comparative trial

Dan Nemet et al. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2009 Nov.

Abstract

We evaluated the effect of cold ice-pack application following a brief sprint-interval training on the balance between anabolic mediators [growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), testosterone], catabolic markers (cortisol, IGFBP-1), and circulating pro [Interlukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1beta]- and anti-inflammatory cytokines [IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra)]. Twelve males, elite junior handball players performed 4 x 250 m treadmill run, at 80% of each individual's maximal speed, followed by a rest period with and without local cold-pack application. Pre, immediately post, and 60-min post-exercise blood samples were drawn. Exercise was associated with a significant increase in IL-6, GH, IGFBP-3, and testosterone levels. Local cold-pack application was associated with significant decreases in IL-1beta, IL-1ra, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 and a greater increase of IGFBP-1 during recovery. Local ice therapy immediately following sprint-interval training was associated with greater decreases in both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and anabolic hormones supporting some clinical evidence for possible negative effects on athletic performance.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Exercise protocol and blood sampling procedure. Each subject performed the protocol twice, once with and once without ice at the recovery period, at a random order
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The effect of local cold-pack application on recovery changes of the pro (IL-6, IL-1β)- and anti (IL-1ra)-inflammatory mediators (upper panel) and anabolic hormones (lower panel) from post-exercise levels. *Significant between group difference
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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