Multiple Cold-Water Immersions Attenuate Muscle Damage but not Alter Systemic Inflammation and Muscle Function Recovery: A Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial

Sci Rep. 2018 Jul 19;8(1):10961. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-28942-5.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of multiple cold-water immersions (CWIs) on muscle function, markers of muscle damage, systemic inflammation and ECM degradation following exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Thirty physically active males were randomly assigned to either a control (n = 15) or cold-water immersion (CWI) group (n = 15). The CWI group performed one immersion (10 °C for 20 min) at post-exercise and every 24 h for the following 72 h, while the control group remained in a seated position during these corresponding periods. Muscle strength, vertical jump height, muscle thickness, delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), systemic creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity were assessed at Pre, Post, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 168 h following EIMD. No significant time × group interaction was obtained for muscle strength, vertical jump height recovery and MMP-2 activity (p > 0.05). At 24 h, muscle thickness from the CWI group returned to baseline and was lower than the control (p = 0.04). DOMS returned to baseline at 168 h for the CWI group (p = 0.109) but not for the control (p = 0.008). At 168 h, CK showed a time-group difference with a greater peak for the control group (p = 0.016). In conclusion, multiple CWIs attenuated muscle damage, but not altered systemic inflammation and muscle function recovery.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Creatine Kinase / metabolism
  • Cryotherapy / methods*
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / metabolism
  • Muscle Strength
  • Muscle, Skeletal / immunology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology*
  • Myalgia / immunology
  • Myalgia / physiopathology
  • Myalgia / therapy*
  • Recovery of Function
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Creatine Kinase
  • MMP3 protein, human
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 3

Grants and funding