Postexercise cooling interventions and the effects on exercise-induced heat stress in a temperate environment

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cool water immersion (20 °C; CWI) while wearing a cooling jacket (Cryovest;V) and a passive control (PAS) as recovery methods on physiological and thermoregulatory responses between 2 exercise bouts in temperate conditions. Nine well-trained male cyclists performed 2 successive bouts of 45 min of endurance cycling exercise in a temperate environment (20 °C) separated by 25 min of the respective recovery interventions. Capillary blood samples were obtained to measure lactate (La⁻), sodium (Na⁺), bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) concentrations and pH, whilst body mass loss (BML), core temperature (T(core)), skin temperature (T(skin)), heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake , and minute ventilation were measured before (Pre), immediately after the first exercise bout (Ex1), the recovery (R), and after the second exercise bout (Ex2). V and CWI both resulted in a reduction of T(skin) at R (-2.1 ± 0.01 °C and -11.6 ± 0.01 °C, respectively, p < 0.01). Despite no difference in final values post-Ex2 (p > 0.05), V attenuated the rise in HR, minute ventilation, and oxygen uptake from Ex1 to Ex2, while T(core) and T(skin) were significantly lower following the second session (p < 0.05). Further, CWI was also beneficial in lowering T(core), T(skin), and BML, while a rise in Na⁺ was observed following Ex2 (p < 0.05). Overall results indicate that cooling interventions (V and CWI) following exercise in a temperate environment provide a reduction in thermal strain during ensuing exercise bouts.

The use of thermal imaging to assess the effectiveness of ice massage and cold-water immersion as methods for supporting post-exercise recovery

“…The present study has confirmed the results obtained by Mokayef et al (2014), who demonstrated the high efficiency of CWI not only with regard to passive rest, but also active rest (slow running with 40-60% of VO 2max ). The similar efficiency of CWI in accelerating lactate clearance was also shown by Hausswirth et al (2012). On one hand, these findings support the effectiveness of CWI in post-exercise recovery as suggested in the literature (Pournot et al, 2011;Pointon et al, 2012), but on the other, they show that the impact of IM has still been poorly documented.…”

“…The basic effects of cold treatments include the reduction of inflammatory processes, pain relief, and the counteraction of DOMS symptoms (Hausswirth et al, 2012;Ziemann et al, 2012;Ne´de´lec et al, 2013). In accordance with the recommendations, the skin temperature has to be lowered by 5-15°C to obtain the analgesic effect (Bailey et al, 2007;Bleakley and Davidson, 2010).…”

Precooling and Warm-up Effects on Time Trial Cycling Performance During Heat Stress

“…For instance, cycling time trials in thermoneutral conditions have been shown to increase core temperature (T c ) 1-2 °C depending on exercise intensity (Nybo et al, 2001;Drust et al, 2005;Périard et al, 2011;Hausswirth et al, 2012); this results in elevated skin blood flow (Périard et al, 2011). The increased T c with a concomitant increase in skin blood flow exacerbates cardiovascular strain via reduced central venous pressure and subsequent reduced stroke volume and increased HR, all of which can impair performance (Roberts & Wenger, 1979).…”

“…Thermoneutral conditions are considered compensable in that heat dissipation mechanisms enable maintenance of thermal homeostasis (Nybo et al, 2001;Drust et al, 2005;Périard et al, 2011;Hausswirth et al, 2012). Generally, performance impairments under such conditions are thereby the result of issues unrelated to thermoregulation, such as failure of central and peripheral neural drive, diminished response of muscles to neural stimulation (e.g., action potentials), and/or impaired excitation-contraction coupling-related mechanisms (Abbiss & Laursen, 2005).…”

“…Heart rate (HR) monitoring during long cycling races has revealed that performance intensity varies between 70%-90% maximal oxygen uptake 2max ), with high contributions of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism (Luciá et al, 1999;Fernández-García et al, 2000;Neumayr et al, 2002). Cycling in temperate climates may elevate core temperature (T c ) 1-2 °C depending on exercise intensity (Nybo et al, 2001;Drust et al, 2005;Hausswirth et al, 2012). Elevated T c results in performance impairments related to nonthermoregulatory mechanisms, including cardiovascular and neurological dysfunction (Abbiss & Laursen, 2005).…”