Effect of Recovery Interventions on Cycling Performance and Pacing Strategy in the Heat

Abstract

The pacing strategy during subsequent cycling performance in the heat is influenced by the application of different postexercise recovery interventions. Although power was not significantly altered between groups, CWI enabled a differently shaped power profile, likely due to decreased thermal strain.

The Effect of Post-Exercise Cryotherapy on Recovery Characteristics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…In one article, the age of the study population was not mentioned [ 33 ]. There were 18 randomized controlled trials [ 1 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 10 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 18 , 19 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 29 – 31 , 34 , 35 ] and 18 randomized crossover trials [ 2 , 5 , 8 , 9 , 11 , 16 , 17 , 20 – 22 , 24 , 27 , 28 , 32 , 33 , 36 , 37 , 50 ]. The experimental trials were conducted in Belgium (n = 2), France (n = 3), Ireland (n = 1), Portugal (n = 1), United Kingdom (n = 6), Australia (n = 14), Brazil (n = 2), United States (n = 4), Taiwan (n = 1) and Japan (n = 2).…”

“…One study worked with well-trained male runners [ 8 ] and another study chose well-trained female climbers [ 50 ]. The remaining 28 studies used healthy / trained volunteers [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 10 – 12 , 14 – 16 , 18 – 28 , 31 – 37 ]. Detailed information about the training status can be observed in Table 1 .…”

“…The exercise protocols encompassed soccer-games or tournaments [ 4 , 7 ]. Six authors used cycle ergometer tests [ 5 , 9 , 12 , 32 , 36 , 37 ]. Two of these cycle tests were sprint tests, while the remaining four were endurance tests [ 5 , 9 ].…”

“…In the present article, the most common cold therapy application (28 studies) was CWI of the legs [ 4 – 7 , 9 , 14 – 23 , 25 , 27 – 37 , 50 ]. Water temperature in the leg immersing studies was 5°C to 10°C in 15 articles [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 9 , 14 , 15 , 21 , 22 , 27 – 29 , 31 , 32 , 34 , 35 ] and 11°C to 15°C in 13 articles [ 5 , 16 – 20 , 23 , 25 , 30 , 33 , 36 , 37 , 50 ]. One author used an arm immersing protocol with a water temperature of 5°C [ 26 ] instead of a leg immersing protocol.…”

“…In sports medicine, cryotherapy, as a post-exercise intervention, has been investigated by means of subjective ratings of DOMS and general ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), objective attenuations of blood plasma markers such as creatine-kinase (CK) and lactate-levels, or blood plasma cytokines encompassing Interleukines (IL) and C-reactive protein (CRP) [ 1 , 2 , 4 – 37 ]. Cryotherapy is commonly described as a procedure to relieve pain and to decrease inflammation in musculoskeletal problems [ 38 ].…”