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Published on: June 8, 2017
Comparison of total cold-water immersion's effects to ice massage on recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage
Mohammed Ali Fakhro1, Fatima AlAmeen2, Rim Fayad2
1Faculty of Sport Sciences, Université Antonine, B.P. 40016, Hadat-Baabda, Lebanon. mohammedali.fakhro@ua.edu.lb.
Purpose:
The purpose of the study is to compare the effects of total cold-water immersion to ice massage on muscle damage, performance, and delayed onset of muscle soreness.
Methods:
Sixty participants were randomized into two groups where they completed a muscle damage protocol. Afterward, muscle damage, muscle performance, and delayed onset muscle soreness were respectively measured by serum Creatine Kinase (CK) test, one-repetition maximum (1-RM) test, countermovement jump (CMJ) test, and visual analog scale (VAS). The measurements were taken at five different timelines (Baseline, 2 H, 24 H, 48 H, and 72 H).
Results:
Data showed that values of all within-group measures of the dependent variables had extremely significant statistical differences (p < 0.001) for both intervention groups. Serum CK values peaked at 24 H for both groups. At 72 H, serum CK values dropped to baseline values in the total cold-water immersion group, while remaining high in the ice massage group. At 72 H, the values of the 1-RM test, CMJ test, and VAS approximated baseline values only in the total cold-water immersion group (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Total cold-water immersion (TCWI) was more effective when compared to ice massage (IM) on improving values of recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Hence, this modality may be considered during athletic recovery to maximize athletic performance.
Clinical Trial Registration:
This trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov under the trial registration number ( NCT04183816 ).
