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Int J Sports Med 2016; 37(08): 619-624
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1565200
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Cold Water Immersion is Acutely Detrimental but Increases Performance Post-12 h in Rugby Players

C. A. Garcia
1   Department of Sport Sciences, Human Performance and Sport Research Group, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
,
G. R. da Mota
1   Department of Sport Sciences, Human Performance and Sport Research Group, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
,
M. Marocolo
1   Department of Sport Sciences, Human Performance and Sport Research Group, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
2   Department of Physiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 20 October 2015

Publication Date:
02 May 2016 (online)

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Abstract

We evaluated the effectiveness of cold water immersion on recovery of performance (i. e., the ability of repetitively performing a physical test) in rugby players acutely and 12 h later. 8 male rugby union players (23±4.7 years; 176.9±4.5 cm; 87.5±8.6 kg) performed a rugby-specific exercise protocol (40 min) followed by recovery strategies: cold water immersion (8.9±0.6°C; 9 min with 1 min out of water, repeated twice) or control (players remained seated for 20 min) in a random order. The players underwent performance tests (countermovement and 30 s continuous jumps and agility T) at 4 time points: at baseline, immediately after rugby-specific exercise, post-recovery strategies and 12 h later. The performance of the agility and countermovement jump test were not different between cold water immersion and control immediately post rugby-specific exercises and 12 h thereafter. However, the 30 s continuous jump test performance decreased immediately but increased 12 h later after cold water immersion compared with control. Perception of recovery was better in the cold water immersion group compared with controls post 12 h exercise. Cold water immersion improves 30 s continuous jump performance, total quality recovery and seems to be an easy and practical tool for coaches and players, especially during congested periods of the season when fast recovery (~12 h) for the following activity is essential.

Key words

regeneration strategies - training - muscle damage - sport
 

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