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Published on: June 8, 2017
The use of continuous vs. intermittent cold water immersion as a recovery method in basketball players after
Braulio Sánchez-Ureña1, Ismael Martínez-Guardado2, Carmen Crespo2
1a Human Movement and Quality Life School , Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica , Heredia , Costa Rica.
Objectives:
The main objective of this study was to compare two cold water immersion protocols, continuous or intermittent, on recovery in basketball players.
Methods:
Ten male basketball players (age: 14 ± 0.4 years, body mass: 65.4 ± 9.1 kg, height: 175 ± 7.3 cm, body fat %: 10.3 ± 4) were included in the study. After three 90-minute training sessions (avg. heart rate 158 ± 11.92, 156 ± 7.06 and 151 ± 10.44 bpm), participants were grouped into a continuous immersion (12 min at 12 ± 0.4°C) group, intermittent immersion (4 x 2 min immersion at 12 ± 0.4 °C + 1 min out of water) group and a control group (CG). Countermovement jump (CMJ), muscle pain and thigh volume were measured.
Results:
Both cold water immersion protocols were effective in reducing the pain 24 and 48 hours after training compared with the CG (F (3.54) = 2.91, p = 0.016, ηp2 = .24). Concerning CMJ change, % differences occurred at 24 (Z = 11.04, p = 0.004) and 48 hours (Z = 14.01, p < 0.001) in comparison with the CG. Regarding the muscle volume, the statistical analysis did not report a significant interaction (F (3.54) = 2.42, p = 0.058).
Conclusion:
Both cold water immersion CWI protocols are effective in improving recovery in basketball players.
