The Effect of Submaximal Exercise Followed by Short-Term Cold-Water Immersion on the Inflammatory State in Healthy Recreational Athletes: A Cross-Over Study

Abstract

Cold-water immersion (CWI) after exercise is a method used by sportsmen to improve recovery. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a 3 min CWI on the inflammatory state by measuring levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and activities of α1-antitrypsin (AAT) and lysosomal enzymes, including arylsulfatase (ASA), acid phosphatase (AcP), and cathepsin D (CTS D), in the blood of healthy recreational athletes. Male volunteers (n = 22, age 25 ± 4.8 yr) performed a 30 min submaximal aerobic exercise, followed by a 20 min rest at room temperature (RT-REST) or a 20 min rest at room temperature with an initial 3 min 8 °C water bath (CWI-REST). Blood samples were taken at baseline, immediately after exercise, and after 20 min of recovery. The IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α levels and the AAT activity increased significantly immediately after exercise. The IL-6 level was significantly higher after CWI-REST than after RT-REST. No changes in the activities of the lysosomal enzymes were observed. The effect of a 3 min CWI on the level of inflammatory markers during post-exercise recovery was limited. Thus, it might be considered as a widely available method of regeneration for recreational athletes.

Health effects of voluntary exposure to cold water – a continuing subject of debate

“…This indicates that adaptive mechanisms occur in habitual winter swimmers [ 82 ]. In a study investigating the effects of a short-term immersion in cold water following a bout of exercise, IL-6 levels were found to be significantly higher compared to post-exercise rest at room temperature [ 83 ]. As increased levels of the cytokine IL-10 are known to be anti-inflammatory [ 84 ], it would be interesting to see whether this cytokine is increased during CWI.…”

The Influence of Ambient Temperature Changes on the Indicators of Inflammation and Oxidative Damage in Blood after Submaximal Exercise

“…On the other hand, White et al [ 55 ] observed that CWI used after a high-intensity sprint run did not significantly reduce plasma concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8. Increased plasma levels of IL-6 may point to the sustained release of IL-6 from skeletal muscle in response to CWI-stimulated glycogenolysis [ 8 , 24 ]. The higher concentration of IL-6 after CWI-REST compared to the value AE in novices may result from modulation of muscle tissue as a consequence of exposure to cold.…”

“…In presented study, the concentration of IL-10 was statistically significantly higher after CWI-REST than after RT-REST in both studied groups. IL-10 is believed to be the primary anti-inflammatory agent, as it inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by activated monocytes and macrophages [ 8 , 58 ]. The concentration of this cytokine in winter swimmers was significantly higher after CWI-REST than AE and BE.…”

“…In people not adapted to cold, CWI causes a reaction known as “cold shock” at water temperatures below 15 °C [ 64 ]. This physiological response is manifested by elevated levels of stress hormones including cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline [ 8 , 64 , 65 ]. In the early stages of cold stress, glucocorticoids and catecholamines stimulate leukocytes to leave the organs and enter the blood and lymph vessels [ 66 ].…”

“…Increased production of ROS can also lead to the disruption of lysosomal membrane integrity by peroxidation of lysosomal membrane lipids [ 7 ]. Structural changes in muscle fibers are also accompanied by increased release of certain intracellular enzymes, including those belonging to lysosomal acid hydrolases [ 8 ]. Thus, the released lysosomal enzymes can be used as markers of oxidative damage [ 9 , 10 ].…”