Short term effects of various water immersions on recovery from exhaustive intermittent exercise

Abstract

In order to investigate the effectiveness of different techniques of water immersion recovery on maximal strength, power and the post-exercise inflammatory response in elite athletes, 41 highly trained (Football, Rugby, Volleyball) male subjects (age = 21.5 ± 4.6 years, mass = 73.1 ± 9.7 kg and height = 176.7 ± 9.7 cm) performed 20 min of exhaustive, intermittent exercise followed by a 15 min recovery intervention. The recovery intervention consisted of different water immersion techniques, including: temperate water immersion (36°C; TWI), cold water immersion (10°C; CWI), contrast water temperature (10-42°C; CWT) and a passive recovery (PAS). Performances during a maximal 30-s rowing test (P(30 s)), a maximal vertical counter-movement jump (CMJ) and a maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVC) of the knee extensor muscles were measured at rest (Pre-exercise), immediately after the exercise (Post-exercise), 1 h after (Post 1 h) and 24 h later (Post 24 h). Leukocyte profile and venous blood markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) were also measured Pre-exercise, Post 1 h and Post 24 h. A significant time effect was observed to indicate a reduction in performance (Pre-exercise vs. Post-exercise) following the exercise bout in all conditions (P < 0.05). Indeed, at 1 h post exercise, a significant improvement in MVC and P(30 s) was respectively observed in the CWI and CWT groups compared to pre-exercise. Further, for the CWI group, this result was associated with a comparative blunting of the rise in total number of leucocytes at 1 h post and of plasma concentration of CK at 24 h post. The results indicate that the practice of cold water immersion and contrast water therapy are more effective immersion modalities to promote a faster acute recovery of maximal anaerobic performances (MVC and 30″ all-out respectively) after an intermittent exhaustive exercise. These results may be explained by the suppression of plasma concentrations of markers of inflammation and damage, suggesting reduced passive leakage from disrupted skeletal muscle, which may result in the increase in force production during ensuing bouts of exercise.

Effect of an acute dose of omega-3 fish oil following exercise-induced muscle damage

“…Squat and countermovement jump height was assessed using a vaned jump and reach apparatus, which provides the maximum height reached to the nearest centimetre (Yardstick, Swift Systems, Lismore, Australia), with the best of three attempts being recorded in accordance with previous research (Ali et al, 2011;Pournot et al, 2011).…”

Efeito de diferentes métodos de recuperação sobre a remoção de lactato e desempenho anaeróbio de futebolistas

“…Além disso, outros fatores como a depleção de substratos (principalmente glicogênio muscular), hipertermia e acúmulo de vários metabólitos, entre eles: magnésio (Mg2+), adenosina difosfato (ADP), fosfato inorgânico (Pi), amônia (NH3) e espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS) 11 . Estratégias de recuperação com o objetivo da manutenção do desempenho têm sido amplamente estudadas [12][13][14][15] . Em especial a RA e RG (i.e.…”

“…Os resultados apontaram queda no desempenho dos testes neuromotores para ambos os grupos que envolviam a aplicação de gelo. Por outro lado, mais recentemente, foi demonstrado que a RG é considerada um importante método para recuperação dos níveis de força e potência após a realização dos exercícios anaeróbios intermitentes 15 , embora pareça não ser tão efetiva para a remoção do La -19 . Resultados similares também foram encontrados por Vaile et al 12 , que verificaram melhor manutenção no desempenho utilizando a RG quando comparado à RA, mesmo com vantagem para a RA na remoção do lactato.…”

Cardiovascular responses in rest, exercise, and recovery phases in water immersion

“…The thermal stimulation of contrast water immersion was considered to contract and relax subcutaneous blood vessels as responses of the circulatory system, i.e., "a pumping effect"; but the authors concluded that it is necessary to investigate more closely the cardiovascular function in the recovery phase, such as HR, SV, CO, and blood pressure, in addition to muscle and skin blood flow. Similarly, in a study in which a maximal performance test was performed during the recovery process after exhaustive intermittent exercise (10 min, 2 sets) 27) , water immersion was effective for recovery of the performance. In this study, 15-minute cold water immersion (10°C) or contrast water immersion (10°C, 42°C) was performed, setting the water level at the iliac crest while in a sitting position.…”