Effect of Cold Shower on Recovery From High-Intensity Cycling in the Heat

• Amornpan Ajjimaporn ^[1] ; Rungchai Chaunchaiyakul ^[1] ; Sirikun Pitsamai ^[2] ; Waree Widjaja ^[1]
  1. [1] Mahidol University

     Mahidol University

     Tailandia

     
  2. [2] Institute of Physical Education Phetchabun, Phetchabun, Thailand
• Localización: Journal of strength and conditioning research: the research journal of the NSCA, ISSN 1064-8011, Vol. 33, Nº. 8, 2019, págs. 2233-2240
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Post-exercise cooling, e.g., cold water immersion has shown beneficial cardiovascular and hormonal effects during recovery from exercise in a hot environment. However, not much is known about the effects of a cold water shower (CWS) as a recovery intervention. This study examined the effects of a CWS on heart rate (HR), core temperature (Tc), salivary cortisol, and thermal comfort sensation (TCS) after exercise in the heat. Nine healthy male subjects (age, 21 +/- 1 year) performed 45 minutes of cycling in a hot environment (35[degrees] C, 40-60% relative humidity) at 65% of peak oxygen uptake. Thereafter, subjects underwent the CWS condition (15 minutes, 15[degrees] C water shower) or control (SIT25; 15 minutes passive recovery in 25[degrees] C room) in a randomized crossover design. After each 15 minutes, subjects sat in a 25[degrees] C room for another 2-hour recovery. Heart rate, Tc, and TCS were recorded before and immediately after exercise, immediately after CWS or SIT25, and at 30 minutes, 1, and 2 hours during additional recovery. Salivary cortisol was collected at the same time points except at 30 minutes of the additional recovery period. Thermal comfort sensation was higher immediately after CWS (+4; very comfortable) than SIT25 (+1; just comfortable). The change of HR decreased faster with CWS (-18.3 +/- 2.3%) than with SIT25 (-7.0 +/- 4.6%) at the first 30-minute recovery time point (p < 0.01). No differences between recovery conditions were observed for the Tc or salivary cortisol at any time point during the 2-hour recovery period. The findings demonstrate that a 15-minute, 15[degrees] C CWS was not effective in reducing Tc or salivary cortisol during recovery from exercise in a hot environment. However, CWS can promote TCS by facilitating a faster HR recovery after 30-minute postintervention compared with passive recovery. The cooling benefits of a CWS could be only recommended to reduce cardiac stress after routine workout in a hot environment.