Summary
Research article - Report
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Extract
Effect of immediate and delayed cold water immersion after a high intensity exercise session on subsequent run performance.
Introduction
Recovery, the return of the body to its pre-exercise state (Tomlin and Wenger, 2001), is an integral component of every athlete's training programme (Cochrane, 2004). Recovery is particularly relevant to athletes due to an implied desire by these individuals to perform at optimal capacity during subsequent sporting events. While many athletes may participate in intermittent sporting events, such as an individual track event, there may be times when performance events are performed over a series of days or even on the same day, such as when an athlete enters into a number of events or when carnivals are held (Montgomery et al., 2008). This makes the recovery process between one sporting fixture and the next an extremely important process. To date, numerous passive and active recovery methods have been trialed, such as carbohydrate replenishment, stretching and massage, with water immersion representing a popular application (Cochrane, 2004; Halson et al., 2008). Of relevance, a recent study by Ingram et al. (2009) reported that cold water immersion (CWI), as opposed to contrast (hot and cold) water therapy and a control condition, resulted in a more rapid return to baseline exercise (running) performance in male athletes. Benefits of CWI on exercise recovery have been attributed to both the hydrostatic pressure of water, as well as the water temperature, with both these factors reported to evoke several mechanisms that can attenuate the physical consequences of exercise (i.e., delayed onset of muscle soreness), and in particular, reduce inflammation and oedema (Wilcock et al., 2006). This is important, as infla...See the full content of this document
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