SportsMedUpdate
Authors: Martin P Schwellnus
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2010)

1. Ingram J, 2. Dawson B, 3. Goodman C, 4. Wallman K, 5. Beilby J . J Sci Med Sport 2009;12:417–21. [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] In a randomised, controlled study, cold immersion following exhaustive simulated team sports exercise improved recovery (48 h later) by reducing soreness, and reducing loss in muscle strength ### Background Cold immersion as a method to accelerate recovery following exhaustive team exercise is commonly used – however, few studies have examined the efficacy of this method to improve recovery. ### Research question/s Does hot/cold contrast water immersion (CWI) or cold-water immersion (COLD) improve recovery following exhaustive simulated team sports exercise when compared with no recovery treatment? ### Methodology Subjects: 11 male team-sport athletes (27.5±6.5 years). Experimental procedure: All the subjects were assessed and performed baseline measures of performance 10 m × 20 m sprints) and muscle strength (isometric – quadriceps, hamstrings and hip flexors). Subjects then completed three 3-day testing trials, each separated by 2 weeks. Each test consisted of 80 min of simulated team sports exercise followed by a 20-m shuttle run test to exhaustion and upon completion and 24 h later, participants performed one of the postexercise recovery procedures for 15 min (no recovery treatment – CON), cold water immersion (COLD) and hot/cold contrast water immersion (HEAT/COLD). Blood samples (inflammatory markers), muscle soreness ratings, sprint ability and muscle strength were assessed before and immediately after postexercise, and at 24 and 48 h postexercise. Measures of outcome: Inflammatory markers, muscle soreness, performance (sprint, strength). ### Main finding/s Muscle strength: There were smaller decrements in isometric leg extension and flexion strength 48 h after the exercise in the COLD group. Sprint performance: There was a more rapid return to repeated sprint performances in the COLD group. ### Conclusion/s In a randomised, controlled study, cold immersion following exhaustive simulated team sports exercise improved recovery (48 h later) by reducing soreness, and reducing loss in muscle strength. Evidence-based rating: 7.5/10 Clinical interest rating: 8/10 Type of study: Randomised, controlled clinical trial Methodological considerations: Well conducted … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJournal%2Bof%2Bscience%2Band%2Bmedicine%2Bin%2Bsport%2B%252F%2BSports%2BMedicine%2BAustralia%26rft.stitle%253DJ%2BSci%2BMed%2BSport%26rft.aulast%253DIngram%26rft.auinit1%253DJ.%26rft.volume%253D12%26rft.issue%253D3%26rft.spage%253D417%26rft.epage%253D421%26rft.atitle%253DEffect%2Bof%2Bwater%2Bimmersion%2Bmethods%2Bon%2Bpost-exercise%2Brecovery%2Bfrom%2Bsimulated%2Bteam%2Bsport%2Bexercise.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1016%252Fj.jsams.2007.12.011%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F18547863%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1016/j.jsams.2007.12.011&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=18547863&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fbjsports%2F44%2F10%2F767.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000266256400015&link_type=ISI