Contrast Water Therapy and Exercise Induced Muscle Damage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the effect of Contrast Water Therapy (CWT) on recovery following exercise induced muscle damage. Controlled trials were identified from computerized literature searching and citation tracking performed up to February 2013. Eighteen trials met the inclusion criteria; all had a high risk of bias. Pooled data from 13 studies showed that CWT resulted in significantly greater improvements in muscle soreness at the five follow-up time points (<6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours) in comparison to passive recovery. Pooled data also showed that CWT significantly reduced muscle strength loss at each follow-up time (<6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours) in comparison to passive recovery. Despite comparing CWT to a large number of other recovery interventions, including cold water immersion, warm water immersion, compression, active recovery and stretching, there was little evidence for a superior treatment intervention. The current evidence base shows that CWT is superior to using passive recovery or rest after exercise; the magnitudes of these effects may be most relevant to an elite sporting population. There seems to be little difference in recovery outcome between CWT and other popular recovery interventions.

Fatigue and Recovery in Soccer: Evidence and Challenges

“…Some of the most well-known biomarkers of fatigue are those originating from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion or from immunology [10]. Considering that muscle fatigue may partly derive from EIMD [10], muscle damage biomarkers such as creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin (Mb) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and those related to inflammation, such as blood leukocyte count, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), could also be useful [148,149].…”

Contrast Therapy and Heat Therapy in Subacute Stage of Grade I and II Lateral Ankle Sprains

“…24 With its physiological effects this treatment is believed to facilitate mild tissue temperature increase, stimulate circulation, increase circulation in the contralateral extremity due to the crossover phenomenon, produce increased blood flow to the involved area, produce hyperemia by alternating vasodilatation and vasoconstriction of the superficial blood vessels, relieve stiffness and pain, reduce necrotic cells and aid healing, reduce inflammation and pitting edema, decrease stasis and scar tissue, improve ROM, and provide a transition for tissue accommodation. 15,20,25 Moreover, contrast bath procedure may increase superficial blood flow and skin temperature. 24 Comparison of related research in the published literature elicited conflicting findings regarding the effects of contrast therapy.…”

“…17 Though speed recovery was noticed compared to no intervention, it had little difference when compared to other commonly employed recovery modalities. 25 While considering the effects of contrast therapy on musculoskeletal conditions, both positive and negative findings were noticed. There is evidence that it relieves the stiffness and pain, reduces inflammation and pitting edema, and improves ROM, 20 but no effect on swelling reduction was reported with contrast therapy.…”

The effectiveness of contrast bath to reduce joint pain in the elderly

“…Modifications in contrast baths using compresses to the knee joint have never been implemented before. 10 This study aims to determine the effectiveness of contrast baths to reduce knee joint pain in the elderly.…”