The effect of cold-water immersion on physical performance

Cold modalities are widely used after athletic injuries, with known physiological effects. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of cold-water immersion on physical performance. Thirty healthy volunteers (average age of 19-23 years) took part in this pre-post interventional study. First, participants performed two tasks: a 40-yard dash run (to measure speed) and a vertical jump (to measure lower limb power). Then, both legs were immersed in a water bath at 5 °C for 15 min. Following cold-water immersion, the measurements were repeated after 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 min. Immediately (2 min) after cold-water immersion, there was a decline in both the vertical jump and 40-yard dash tests compared to pre-intervention scores. While this effect lasted up to 20 min after cryotherapy for the 40-yard dash test, for the jump test, the effect only remained up to 10 min. The results showed a decrease in physical performance immediately and 20 min after immersion in cold water (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a gradual increase in the level of physical function over time. Therefore, before returning athletes to activity after the use of cold modalities, care should be taken.