Cold Water Immersion and Contrast Water Therapy Do Not Improve Short-Term Recovery Following Resistance Training.

Abstract

PURPOSE: An athlete's ability to recover quickly is important when there is limited time between training and competition. As such, recovery strategies are commonly used to expedite the recovery process. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of both cold water immersion (CWI) and contrast water therapy (CWT) compared to control on short-term recovery (<4h) following a single full-body resistance training session. METHODS: Thirteen males (age, 26 ± 5 years; weight, 79 ± 7 kg; height, 177 ± 5 cm) were assessed for perceptual (fatigue and soreness) and performance measures (maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) of the knee extensors, weighted and unweighted countermovement jumps) prior to and immediately following the training session. Subjects then completed one of three 14 minute recovery strategies (CWI, CWT, or passive sitting, CON), with the perceptual and performance measures reassessed immediately following recovery, two hours post-recovery, and four hours post-recovery. RESULTS: Peak torque during MVC and jump performance were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) following the resistance training session and remained depressed for at least four hours post recovery in all conditions. Neither CWI nor CWT had any effect on perceptual or performance measures over the four hour recovery period. CONCLUSIONS: CWI and CWT did not improve short-term (<4h) recovery following a conventional resistance training session.