Effects of Cold Water Immersion and Active Recovery on Post-Exercise Heart Rate Variability

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential benefits of cold water immersion (CWI) and active recovery (AR) on blood lactate concentration ([Lac]) and heart rate variability (HRV) indices following high-intensity exercise. 20 male subjects were recruited. On the first visit, an incremental test was performed to determine maximal oxygen consumption and the associated speed (MAS). The remaining 3 visits for the performance of constant velocity exhaustive tests at MAS and different recovery methods (6 min) were separated by 7-day intervals [randomized: CWI, AR or passive recovery (PR)]. The CWI and AR lowered [Lac] (p<0.05) at 11, 13 and 15 min after exercise cessation in comparison to PR. There was a 'time' and 'recovery mode' interaction for 2 HRV indices: standard deviation of normal R-R intervals (SDNN) (partial eta squared=0.114) and natural log of low-frequency power density (lnLF) (partial eta squared=0.090). CWI presented significantly higher SDNN compared to PR at 15 min of recovery (p<0.05). In addition, greater SDNN values were found in CWI vs. AR during the application of recovery interventions, and at 30 and 75 min post-exercise (p<0.05 for all differences). The lnLF during the recovery interventions and at 75 min post-exercise was greater using CWI compared with AR (p<0.05). For square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent R-R intervals (RMSSD) and natural log of high-frequency power density (lnHF), a moderate effect size was found between CWI and PR during the recovery interventions and at 15 min post-exercise. Our findings show that AR and CWI offer benefits regarding the removal of [Lac] following high-intensity exercise. While limited, CWI results in some improvement in post-exercise cardiac autonomic regulation compared to AR and PR. Further, AR is not recommended if the aim is to accelerate the parasympathetic reactivation.

Is Baseline Cardiac Autonomic Modulation Related to Performance and Physiological Responses Following a Supramaximal Judo Test?

“…Finally, unlike Obmiński et al [44], who described a lactate clearance parabola following official Judo matches (2 to 5 min), our results displayed a lactate nearly steady-state, similarly to Bastos et al [62]. As in this latter study, our athletes remained seated during the whole recovery period in order to match baseline conditions in regard to body position because this factor is known to significantly affect HR dynamics [63].…”

Water Intake Accelerates Parasympathetic Reactivation After High-Intensity Exercise

“…Strategies such as the adoption of a supine posture, cold or thermo-neutral whole-body immersion and cold face immersion have all been shown to accelerate the postexercise parasympathetic reactivation (Al Haddad et al, 2010a;Al Haddad et al, 2010b;Bastos et al, 2012;Buchheit et al, 2009). Recently, we have tested the effects of water intake (WI) on postexercise parasympathetic reactivation (De Oliveira et al, 2011).…”

Efeito Da Imersão Em Água Fria Sobre a Recuperação Pós-Esforço Em Atletas De Jiu-Jitsu

“…15,16 No presente estudo, a análise de CQ revelou que o grupo IAF não promoveu diferenças estatísticas em comparação ao grupo controle. Avaliando atletas de jiu-jitsu, Fonseca et al 7 também não encontraram diferenças nos valores de CQ, após a sessão de treinamento, quando compararam o grupo IAF e controle.…”

“…A duração dessa imersão foi de seis minutos, uma vez que a partir desse tempo já se observa alterações autonômicas. 15 O atleta permaneceu sentado com as mãos apoiadas na região femoral e a temperatura da água foi monitorada com o uso de um termômetro digital infra-vermelho TD 925 (ICEL, Manaus, AM, Brasil). Caso houvesse necessidade, cubos de gelos eram adicionados a caixa plástica para o resfriamento da água e manutenção da temperatura em torno do desejável.…”