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Effect of Body Composition on Physiological Responses to Cold Water Immersion and the Recovery of Exercise Performance
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Effect of Body Composition on Physiological Responses to Cold Water Immersion and the Recovery of Exercise Performance

Jessica M Stephens, Shona L Halson, Joanna Miller, Gary J Slater, Dale W Chapman and Christopher D Askew
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, Vol.13(3), pp.382-389
2018
PMID: 28787237
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PDF - Author's Accepted Version708.66 kBDownloadView
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url
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2017-0083View
Published Version

Abstract

cold water immersion recovery body composition performance recovery
Purpose: To explore the influence of body composition on thermal responses to cold water immersion (CWI) and the recovery of exercise performance. Methods: Male subjects were stratified into two groups; low fat (LF; n=10); or high fat (HF; n=10). Subjects completed a high intensity interval test (HIIT) on a cycle ergometer followed by 15 min recovery intervention (control (CON) or CWI). Core temperature (Tc), skin temperature (Tsk) and heart rate were recorded continuously. Performance was assessed at baseline, immediately post-HIIT and 40 min post-recovery using a 4 min cycling time trial (TT), countermovement jump (CMJ), and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) tests. Perceptual measures (thermal sensation (TS), total quality of recovery (TQR), soreness and fatigue) were also assessed. Results: Tc and TS were significantly lower in LF compared to HF from 10 min (Tc: LF 36.5±0.5, HF 37.2±0.6°C; TS: LF 2.3±0.5, HF 3.0±0.7 arbitrary units (a.u.)) to 40 min (Tc: LF 36.1±0.6, HF 36.8±0.7°C; TS: LF 2.3±0.6, HF 3.2±0.7 a.u.) following CWI (P<0.05). Recovery of TT performance was significantly enhanced following CWI in HF (10.3±6.1%) compared to LF (3.1±5.6%, P=0.01) however, no differences were observed between HF (6.9±5.7%) and LF (5.4±5.2%) with CON. No significant differences were observed between groups for CMJ, IMTP, TQR, soreness or fatigue in both conditions. Conclusion: Body composition influences the magnitude of Tc change during and following CWI. Additionally, CWI enhanced performance recovery in the HF group only. Therefore, body composition should be considered when planning CWI protocols to avoid overcooling and maximise performance recovery.

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