Core Temperature Responses to Cold-Water Immersion Recovery: A Pooled-Data Analysis
in International Journal of Sports Physiology and PerformanceClick name to view affiliation
Purpose: To examine the effect of postexercise cold-water immersion (CWI) protocols, compared with control (CON), on the magnitude and time course of core temperature (Tc) responses. Methods: Pooled-data analyses were used to examine the Tc responses of 157 subjects from previous postexercise CWI trials in the authors’ laboratories. CWI protocols varied with different combinations of temperature, duration, immersion depth, and mode (continuous vs intermittent). Tc was examined as a double difference (ΔΔTc), calculated as the change in Tc in CWI condition minus the corresponding change in CON. The effect of CWI on ΔΔTc was assessed using separate linear mixed models across 2 time components (component 1, immersion; component 2, postintervention). Results: Intermittent CWI resulted in a mean decrease in ΔΔTc that was 0.25°C (0.10°C) (estimate [SE]) greater than continuous CWI during the immersion component (P = .02). There was a significant effect of CWI temperature during the immersion component (P = .05), where reductions in water temperature of 1°C resulted in decreases in ΔΔTc of 0.03°C (0.01°C). Similarly, the effect of CWI duration was significant during the immersion component (P = .01), where every 1 min of immersion resulted in a decrease in ΔΔTc of 0.02°C (0.01°C). The peak difference in Tc between the CWI and CON interventions during the postimmersion component occurred at 60 min postintervention. Conclusions: Variations in CWI mode, duration, and temperature may have a significant effect on the extent of change in Tc. Careful consideration should be given to determine the optimal amount of core cooling before deciding which combination of protocol factors to prescribe.
Stephens, Gore, Miller, Versey, and Halson are with the Dept of Physiology, Australian Inst of Sport, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Stephens, Slater, and Askew are with the School of Health and Sport Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, Australia. Sharpe is with the Statistical Consulting Centre, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Gore is also with the Research Inst for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia. Peiffer is with the School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia. Duffield is with the Sport and Exercise Discipline Group, Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Lindfield, NSW, Australia. Minett is with the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia. Crampton and Dunne are with the Dept of Physiology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
© 2023 Human Kinetics