Effect of Cold Shower on Recovery From High-Intensity Cycling in the Heat

Abstract

Ajjimaporn, A, Chaunchaiyakul, R, Pitsamai, S, and Widjaja, W. Effect of cold shower on recovery from high-intensity cycling in the heat. J Strength Cond Res 33(8): 2233–2240, 2019—Post-exercise cooling, e.g., cold water immersion has shown beneficial cardiovascular and hormonal effects during recovery from exercise in a hot environment. However, not much is known about the effects of a cold water shower (CWS) as a recovery intervention. This study examined the effects of a CWS on heart rate (HR), core temperature (Tc), salivary cortisol, and thermal comfort sensation (TCS) after exercise in the heat. Nine healthy male subjects (age, 21 ± 1 year) performed 45 minutes of cycling in a hot environment (35° C, 40–60% relative humidity) at 65% of peak oxygen uptake. Thereafter, subjects underwent the CWS condition (15 minutes, 15° C water shower) or control (SIT25; 15 minutes passive recovery in 25° C room) in a randomized crossover design. After each 15 minutes, subjects sat in a 25° C room for another 2-hour recovery. Heart rate, Tc, and TCS were recorded before and immediately after exercise, immediately after CWS or SIT25, and at 30 minutes, 1, and 2 hours during additional recovery. Salivary cortisol was collected at the same time points except at 30 minutes of the additional recovery period. Thermal comfort sensation was higher immediately after CWS (+4; very comfortable) than SIT25 (+1; just comfortable). The change of HR decreased faster with CWS (−18.3 ± 2.3%) than with SIT25 (−7.0 ± 4.6%) at the first 30-minute recovery time point (p < 0.01). No differences between recovery conditions were observed for the Tc or salivary cortisol at any time point during the 2-hour recovery period. The findings demonstrate that a 15-minute, 15° C CWS was not effective in reducing Tc or salivary cortisol during recovery from exercise in a hot environment. However, CWS can promote TCS by facilitating a faster HR recovery after 30-minute postintervention compared with passive recovery. The cooling benefits of a CWS could be only recommended to reduce cardiac stress after routine workout in a hot environment.

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“…Both the no effect of cold water shower (15 min 15℃) [17] and the beneficial impact of CWI [11] on decreasing levels of cortisol after training cortisol level were shown. There were attempts to show an increase in the anabolic environment development.…”

“…The newest research also tested the impact of cold water on the cardiovascular system. There is evidence that cold water can benefit heart recovery after strain [14] [17] and CWI improves autonomic cardiac modulation [3] by affecting heart rate. In contrast to the beneficial impact on the heart, there are suggestions that cold water can suppress the hypotensive effect of exercises [14].…”

“…The effect of cold water on body temperature was examined. There were no [17][16] or some [9] impacts of decreasing core temperature. There are some suggestions that cold water after training can provide subjective thermal comfort [17]…”

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“…Il est important de noter qu'au cours d'un exercice physique, les stratégies externes sont plus difficilement utilisables, soit à cause de durées limitées d'utilisations possibles (e.g., serviettes humides ou poches de glace lors des tempsmorts, des changements de côtés ou d'adversaires), soit à cause des règlements des compétitions qui interdisent l'usage de certaines techniques comme les gilets, cagoules réfrigérantes et limitent ainsi les possibilités d'obtenir un refroidissement externe efficace [40,81] ou uniquement sur des surfaces limitées (e.g., bandeau frontal réfrigéré, bandanas) comme évoqué par [7]. Enfin, les stratégies de refroidissement comme l'immersion en eau froide ou les douches froides peuvent être utilisées après les efforts (i.e., post-refroidissement ou postcooling), notamment lors des périodes de récupération pour améliorer les performances répétées d'endurance en condition de TE [82][83][84]. De même, des travaux de recherche en cours s'intéressent aux potentiels bénéfices des matelas réfrigérés : ils permettraient d'augmenter la durée et qualité du sommeil et ainsi favoriser la récupération des athlètes.…”

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“…Following the CWS intervention, a significant 18% decrease in HR was observed, surpassing the effects of the SIT25 intervention (7%). 21 In another study, 26 women, including Haenyeo (female divers working in cold seawater), were subjected to cold exposure. The study protocol involved exposure to cold air at a temperature of 12°C for 60 minutes.…”