Effect of hydrotherapy on the signs and symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness

Abstract

This study independently examined the effects of three hydrotherapy interventions on the physiological and functional symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Strength trained males (n = 38) completed two experimental trials separated by 8 months in a randomised crossover design; one trial involved passive recovery (PAS, control), the other a specific hydrotherapy protocol for 72 h post-exercise; either: (1) cold water immersion (CWI: n = 12), (2) hot water immersion (HWI: n = 11) or (3) contrast water therapy (CWT: n = 15). For each trial, subjects performed a DOMS-inducing leg press protocol followed by PAS or one of the hydrotherapy interventions for 14 min. Weighted squat jump, isometric squat, perceived pain, thigh girths and blood variables were measured prior to, immediately after, and at 24, 48 and 72 h post-exercise. Squat jump performance and isometric force recovery were significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) at 24, 48 and 72 h post-exercise following CWT and at 48 and 72 h post-exercise following CWI when compared to PAS. Isometric force recovery was also greater (P < 0.05) at 24, 48, and 72 h post-exercise following HWI when compared to PAS. Perceived pain improved (P < 0.01) following CWT at 24, 48 and 72 h post-exercise. Overall, CWI and CWT were found to be effective in reducing the physiological and functional deficits associated with DOMS, including improved recovery of isometric force and dynamic power and a reduction in localised oedema. While HWI was effective in the recovery of isometric force, it was ineffective for recovery of all other markers compared to PAS.

The influence of cold water immersions on adaptation following a single bout of damaging exercise

“…Although a number of studies have demonstrated CWI to signiWcantly reduce markers of muscle damage and attenuate the loss in muscle function following damaging exercise (e.g. Bailey et al 2007;Vaile et al 2008a;Yanagisawa et al 2003), there is some evidence indicating that CWI has no eVect on muscle function and soreness in such an exercise model (Eston and Peters 1999;Goodall and Howatson 2008;Paddon-Jones and Quigley 1997;Sellwood et al 2007). The eVects of CWI as a recovery strategy following accustomed exercise in well-trained individuals has also been addressed recently, with some evidence to support its application to reduce markers of muscle damage (Montgomery et al 2008) and to promote recovery during consecutive training days (Vaile et al 2008b).…”

Effects of Recovery Method After Exercise on Performance, Immune Changes, and Psychological Outcomes

“…Although the need to study inflammation in the context of recovery interventions has been proposed, 3 we are aware of only 1 such study that measured inflammatory markers in the context of various recovery interventions. 41 This study measured IL-6 in strength trained athletes for up to 72 hours following an eccentrically biased workout. IL-6 was not influenced by any of the water immersion recovery interventions when compared to values taken during a control (passive rest) condition.…”

Cold water immersion recovery following intermittent-sprint exercise in the heat

“…In particular, implementation of cold water immersion (CWI) has become an increasingly popular post-exercise recovery strategy (Barnett 2006). Current evidence highlights varying effectiveness of CWI on both acute and long-term recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage (Vaile et al 2008b), laboratory cycling protocols (Peiffer et al 2010b;Vaile et al 2010) and team-sport exercise (Rowsell et al 2009;. Further, the effect of CWI following team-sport exercise in the heat and the relationship between endogenous thermal load and recovery of skeletal muscle function remains unknown.…”