The effects of multiple cold water immersions on indices of muscle damage

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to elucidate the efficacy of repeated cold water immersions (CWI) in the recovery of exercise induced muscle damage. A randomised group consisting of eighteen males, mean ± s age, height and body mass were 24 ± 5 years, 1.82 ± 0.06 m and 85.7 ± 16.6 kg respectively, completed a bout of 100 drop jumps. Following the bout of damaging exercise, participants were randomly but equally assigned to either a 12 min CWI (15 ± 1 °C; n = 9) group who experienced immersions immediately post-exercise and every 24 h thereafter for the following 3 days, or a control group (no treatment; n = 9). Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the knee extensors, creatine kinase activity (CK), muscle soreness (DOMS), range of motion (ROM) and limb girth were measured pre-exercise and then for the following 96 h at 24 h increments. In addition MVC was also recorded immediately post-exercise. Significant time effects were seen for MVC, CK, DOMS and limb girth (p < 0.05) indicating muscle damage was evident, however there was no group effect or interaction observed showing that CWI did not attenuate any of the dependent variables (p > 0.05). These results suggest that repeated CWI do not enhance recovery from a bout of damaging eccentric contractions. Key pointsCryotherapy, particularly cold water immersions are one of the most common interventions used in order to enhance recovery post-exercise.There is little empirical evidence demonstrating benefits from cold water immersions. Research evidence is equivocal, probably due to methodological inconsistencies.Our results show that the cryotherapy administered did not attenuate any markers of EIMD or enhance the recovery of function.We conclude that repeated cold water immersions are ineffective in the recovery from heavy plyometric exercise and suggest athletes and coaches should use caution before using this intervention as a recovery strategy.

Keywords: Eccentric exercise; treatment, cryotherapy..

Figure 1.

CK activity for the control and cryotherapy groups after the damaging bout of exercise. Values are expressed in natural log and are mean ± s. * Indicates a significant time effect.

Figure 2.

Percentage change in isometric force for the control and cryotherapy groups after the damaging bout of exercise (mean ± s). * Indicates a significant time effect.

Figure 3.

Muscle soreness for the control and cryotherapy groups after the damaging bout of exercise (mean ± s). * Indicates a significant time effect.

Figure 4.

Muscle soreness during a squat for the control and cryotherapy groups after the damaging bout of exercise (mean ± s). * Indicates a significant time effect.

Figure 5.

Percentage change in thigh circumference for the control and cryotherapy groups after the damaging bout of exercise (mean ± s). * Indicates a significant time effect.