Influence of cold-water immersion on indices of muscle damage following prolonged intermittent shuttle running

• Published in: Journal of sports sciences Vol. 25; no. 11; pp. 1163 - 1170
• Main Authors: Bailey, D. M., Erith, S. J., Griffin, P. J., Dowson, A., Brewer, D. S., Gant, N., Williams, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Routledge 01-09-2007; Taylor and Francis
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cryotherapy; Exercise - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Immersion; intermittent exercise; Male; muscle soreness; Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology; muscular dysfunction; Running - physiology; Soft Tissue Injuries - physiopathology; Treatment Outcome; United Kingdom; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports; Physical exercise; Human; intermittent exercise; Immersion; Striated muscle; Sport; Cold water; muscle soreness; Intermittent; Dysfunction; muscular dysfunction; Cryotherapy; Prolonged
• ISSN: 0264-0414; 1466-447X
• DOI: 10.1080/02640410600982659

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of cold-water immersion (cryotherapy) on indices of muscle damage following a bout of prolonged intermittent exercise. Twenty males (mean age 22.3 years, s = 3.3; height 1.80 m, s = 0.05; body mass 83.7 kg, s = 11.9) completed a 90-min intermittent shuttle run previously shown to result in marked muscle damage and soreness. After exercise, participants were randomly assigned to either 10 min cold-water immersion (mean 10°C, s = 0.5) or a non-immersion control group. Ratings of perceived soreness, changes in muscular function and efflux of intracellular proteins were monitored before exercise, during treatment, and at regular intervals up to 7 days post-exercise. Exercise resulted in severe muscle soreness, temporary muscular dysfunction, and elevated serum markers of muscle damage, all peaking within 48 h after exercise. Cryotherapy administered immediately after exercise reduced muscle soreness at 1, 24, and 48 h (P < 0.05). Decrements in isometric maximal voluntary contraction of the knee flexors were reduced after cryotherapy treatment at 24 (mean 12%, s
x
 = 4) and 48 h (mean 3%, s
x
 = 3) compared with the control group (mean 21%, s
x
 = 5 and mean 14%, s
x
 = 5 respectively; P < 0.05). Exercise-induced increases in serum myoglobin concentration and creatine kinase activity peaked at 1 and 24 h, respectively (P < 0.05). Cryotherapy had no effect on the creatine kinase response, but reduced myoglobin 1 h after exercise (P < 0.05). The results suggest that cold-water immersion immediately after prolonged intermittent shuttle running reduces some indices of exercise-induced muscle damage.