Influence of postexercise cooling on muscle oxygenation and blood volume changes
Document Type
Journal Article
Keywords
recovery, thermoregulation, adaptation, cryotherapy, cold water immersion, near-infrared spectroscopy
Publisher
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Faculty
Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science
School
School of Exercise and Health Sciences / Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research
RAS ID
16796
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of postexercise cold water immersion (CWI) on tissue oxygenation and blood volume changes after intense exercise.
Methods: Nine physically active men performed 30 min of continuous running (CR) at 70% of their maximal treadmill velocity (Vmax), followed by 10 bouts of intermittent running at Vmax. After exercise, one of the participants' legs was immersed in a cold water bath (10 C, CWI) to the level of their gluteal fold for 15 min. The contralateral leg remained outside the water bath and served as a control (CON). Vastus lateralis (VL) skin temperature (TskVL), VL oxygenation (tissue oxygenation index [TOI]), and blood volume changes (total hemoglobin [tHb] volume) were monitored continuously throughout exercise and CWI using near-infrared spectroscopy.
Results: TskVL, TOI, and tHb were not significantly different between CON and CWI during continuous running and intermittent running, respectively (P > 0.05). In contrast, TskVL was significantly lower in CWI compared with CON throughout immersion, with peak differences occurring at the end of immersion (CON = 35.1 ± 0.6 vs CWI = 16.9 C ± 1.7 C, P < 0.001). tHb was significantly lower during CWI compared with CON at most time points, with peak differences of 20% ± 4% evident at the end of the 15-min immersion (P < 0.01). Likewise, TOI was significantly higher in CWI compared with CON, with peak differences of 2.5% ± 1% evident at the 12th min of immersion (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Postexercise cooling decreased microvascular perfusion and muscle metabolic activity. These findings are consistent with the suggested mechanisms by which CWI is hypothesized to improve local muscle recovery.
Content Type
Metadata only
Comments
This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in: Abdullah, M. I., Watson, G., Lipski, M., & Abbiss, C. (2013). Influence of postexercise cooling on muscle oxygenation and blood volume changes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise , 45(5), 876-882. Original article available here