Effect of hot water immersion on acute physiological responses following resistance exercise

Joshua S Jackman; Phillip G Bell; Ken Van Someren; Marcela B Gondek; Frank A Hills; Laura J Wilson; Emma Cockburn

doi:10.3389/fphys.2023.1213733

Effect of hot water immersion on acute physiological responses following resistance exercise

Front Physiol. 2023 Jul 5:14:1213733. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1213733. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Joshua S Jackman^{1

2}, Phillip G Bell^{3

2}, Ken Van Someren⁴, Marcela B Gondek⁵, Frank A Hills⁵, Laura J Wilson¹, Emma Cockburn^{1

6}

Affiliations

¹ London Sport Institute, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom.
² Art Health Solutions, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
³ Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
⁴ Sports Lab Northwest, Atlantic Technological University, Donegal, Ireland.
⁵ Biomarker Research Group, Department of Natural Sciences, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom.
⁶ School of Biomedical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom.

Abstract

Purpose: Hot water immersion (HWI) is a strategy theorised to enhance exercise recovery. However, the acute physiological responses to HWI following resistance exercise are yet to be determined. Methods: The effect of HWI on intramuscular temperature (IMT), muscle function, muscle soreness and blood markers of muscle cell disruption and inflammatory processes after resistance exercise was assessed. Sixteen resistance trained males performed resistance exercise, followed by either 10 min HWI at 40°C or 10 min passive recovery (PAS). Results: Post-intervention, the increase in IMT at all depths was greater for HWI compared to PAS, however this difference had disappeared by 1 h post at depths of 1 and 2 cm, and by 2 h post at a depth of 3 cm. There were no differences between groups for muscle function, muscle soreness or any blood markers. Conclusion: These results suggest that HWI is a viable means of heat therapy to support a greater IMT following resistance exercise. Recovery of muscle function and muscle soreness is independent of acute changes in IMT associated with HWI.

Keywords: heat therapy; inflammation; muscle damage; recovery; strength training; temperature.