Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Sports Medicine
Published in: Sports Medicine 4/2016

Open Access 01-04-2016 | Systematic Review

Can Water Temperature and Immersion Time Influence the Effect of Cold Water Immersion on Muscle Soreness? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Authors: Aryane Flauzino Machado, Paulo Henrique Ferreira, Jéssica Kirsch Micheletti, Aline Castilho de Almeida, Ítalo Ribeiro Lemes, Franciele Marques Vanderlei, Jayme Netto Junior, Carlos Marcelo Pastre

Published in: Sports Medicine | Issue 4/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Cold water immersion (CWI) is a technique commonly used in post-exercise recovery. However, the procedures involved in the technique may vary, particularly in terms of water temperature and immersion time, and the most effective approach remains unclear.

Objectives

The objective of this systematic review was to determine the efficacy of CWI in muscle soreness management compared with passive recovery. We also aimed to identify which water temperature and immersion time provides the best results.

Methods

The MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, PEDro [Physiotherapy Evidence Database], and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) databases were searched up to January 2015. Only randomized controlled trials that compared CWI to passive recovery were included in this review. Data were pooled in a meta-analysis and described as weighted mean differences (MDs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Nine studies were included for review and meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that CWI has a more positive effect than passive recovery in terms of immediate (MD = 0.290, 95 % CI 0.037, 0.543; p = 0.025) and delayed effects (MD = 0.315, 95 % CI 0.048, 0.581; p = 0.021). Water temperature of between 10 and 15 °C demonstrated the best results for immediate (MD = 0.273, 95 % CI 0.107, 0.440; p = 0.001) and delayed effects (MD = 0.317, 95 % CI 0.102, 0.532; p = 0.004). In terms of immersion time, immersion of between 10 and 15 min had the best results for immediate (MD = 0.227, 95 % 0.139, 0.314; p < 0.001) and delayed effects (MD = 0.317, 95 % 0.102, 0.532, p = 0.004).

Conclusions

The available evidence suggests that CWI can be slightly better than passive recovery in the management of muscle soreness. The results also demonstrated the presence of a dose–response relationship, indicating that CWI with a water temperature of between 11 and 15 °C and an immersion time of 11–15 min can provide the best results.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Bastos FN, Vanderlei LCM, Nakamura FY, et al. Effects of cold water immersion and active recovery on post-exercise heart rate variability. Int J Sports Med. 2012;33(11):873–9.CrossRefPubMed
2.
Brophy-Williams N, Landers G, Wallman K. Effect of immediate and delayed cold water immersion after a high intensity exercise session on subsequent run performance. J Sports Sci Med. 2011:665–670.
3.
Pournot H, Bieuzen F, Duffield R, et al. Short term effects of various water immersions on recovery from exhaustive intermittent exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2011;111(7):1287–95.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Broatch JR, Petersen A, Bishop DJ. Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2014;46(11):2139–47.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Bleakley CM, Davison GW. What is the biochemical and physiological rationale for using cold-water immersion in sports recovery? A systematic review. Br J Sports Med. 2010;44(3):179–87.CrossRefPubMed
6.
Costello JT, Culligan K, Selfe J, Donnelly AE. Muscle, skin and core temperature after −110 °C cold air and 8 °C water treatment. PLoS One. 2012;7(11):e48190.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
7.
Bieuzen F, Bleakley CM, Costello JT. Contrast water therapy and exercise induced muscle damage: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2013;8(4):e62356.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
8.
Leeder J, Gissane C, van Someren K, et al. Cold water immersion and recovery from strenuous exercise: a meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2012;46(4):233–40.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Bailey DM, Erith SJ, Griffin PJ, et al. Influence of cold-water immersion on indices of muscle damage following prolonged intermittent shuttle running. J Sports Sci. 2007;25(11):1163–70.CrossRefPubMed
10.
Glasgow PD, Ferris R, Bleakley CM. Cold water immersion in the management of delayed-onset muscle soreness: is dose important? A randomised controlled trial. Phys Ther Sport. 2014;15(4):228–33.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Leal Junior EC, de Godoi V, Mancalossi JL, et al. Comparison between cold water immersion therapy (CWIT) and light emitting diode therapy (LEDT) in short-term skeletal muscle recovery after high-intensity exercise in athletes-preliminary results. Lasers Med Sci. 2011;26(4):493–501.
12.
Bleakley C, Mcdonough S, Gardner E, et al. Cold-water immersion (cryotherapy) for preventing and treating muscle soreness after exercise. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;2:CD008262.
13.
White GE, Wells GD. Cold-water immersion and other forms of cryotherapy: physiological changes potentially affecting recovery from high-intensity exercise. Extrem Physiol Med. 2013;2(1):26.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
14.
Wilcock IM, Cronin JB, Hing WA. Physiological response to water immersion: a method for sport recovery. Sports Med. 2006;36(9):1–18.CrossRef
15.
García-Manso JM, Rodríguez-Matoso D, Rodríguez-Ruiz D, et al. Effect of cold-water immersion on skeletal muscle contractile properties in soccer players. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2011;90(5):356–63.CrossRefPubMed
16.
Pastre CM, Bastos FN, Netto J Jr, et al. Métodos de recuperação pós-exercício: uma revisão sistemática. Rev Bras Med Esporte. 2009;15:138–44.CrossRef
17.
Chesterton LS, Foster NE, Ross L. Skin temperature response to cryotherapy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2002;83(4):543–9.CrossRefPubMed
18.
19.
Maher CG, Sherrington C, Robert D, et al. Research report reliability of the PEDro scale for rating quality of randomized. Phys Ther. 2003;83:713–21.PubMed
20.
Macedo LG, Elkins MR, Maher CG, et al. There was evidence of convergent and construct validity of Physiotherapy Evidence Database quality scale for physiotherapy trials. J Clin Epidemiol. 2010;63(8):920–5.CrossRefPubMed
21.
Bleakley CM, Glasgow PD, Philips P, et al. Management of acute soft tissue injury using protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation: recommendations from the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports and Exercise Medicine (ACPSM). London: Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports and Exercise Medicine (ACPS); 2010.
22.
Leeder JDC, van Someren KA, Bell PG, et al. Effects of seated and standing cold water immersion on recovery from repeated sprinting. J Sports Sci. 2015;33(15):1544–52.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Elias GP, Varley MC, Wyckelsma VL, et al. Effects of water immersion on posttraining recovery in Australian footballers. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2012;7(4):357–66.PubMed
24.
Stanley J, Buchheit M, Peake JM. The effect of post-exercise hydrotherapy on subsequent exercise performance and heart rate variability. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2012;112(3):951–61.CrossRefPubMed
25.
Crystal NJ, Townson DH, Cook SB, et al. Effect of cryotherapy on muscle recovery and inflammation following a bout of damaging exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2013;113(10):2577–86.CrossRefPubMed
26.
Getto CN, Golden G. Comparison of active recovery in water and cold-water immersion after exhaustive exercise. Athl Train Sport Heal Care. 2013;5(4):169–76.
27.
Elias GP, Wyckelsma VL, Varley MC, et al. Effectiveness of water immersion on postmatch recovery in elite professional footballers. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2013;8(3):243–54.PubMed
28.
Jakeman JR, Macrae R, Eston R. A single 10-min bout of cold-water immersion therapy after strenuous plyometric exercise has no beneficial effect on recovery from the symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage. Ergonomics. 2009;52(4):456–60.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Ascensão A, Leite M, Rebelo AN, et al. Effects of cold water immersion on the recovery of physical performance and muscle damage following a one-off soccer match. J Sports Sci. 2011;29(3):217–25.CrossRefPubMed
30.
Reid G, Babes A, Pluteanu F. A cold and menthol-activated current in rate dorsal root ganglion neurones: properties and role in cold transduction. J Physiol. 2002;545:595–614.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
31.
Herrera E, Sandoval MC, Camargo DM, et al. Motor and sensory nerve conduction are affected differently by ice pack, ice masage, and cold water immersion. Phys Ther. 2010;90(4):581–91.CrossRefPubMed
32.
Halson SL, Quod MJ, Martin DT, et al. Physiological responses to cold water immersion following cycling in the heat. Int J Sport Physiol Perform. 2008;3:331–46.
33.
Sellwood KL, Brukner P, Williams D, et al. Ice-water immersion and delayed-onset muscle soreness: a randomised controlled trial. Br J Sports Med. 2007;41(6):392–7.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
34.
Costello JT, McInerney CD, Bleakley CM, et al. The use of thermal imaging in assessing skin temperature following cryotherapy: a review. J Therm Biol. 2012;37:103–10.CrossRef
35.
Davis KD, Pope GE. Noxious cold evokes multiple sensations with distinct time courses. Pain. 2002;98(1–2):179–85.CrossRefPubMed
36.
Yeargin SW, Casa DJ, McClung JM, et al. Body cooling between two bouts of exercise in the heat enhances subsequent performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2006;20(2):383–9.PubMed
37.
Versey NG, Halson SL, Dawson BT. Water immersion recovery for athletes: effect on exercise performance and practical recommendations. Sports Med. 2013;43(11):1101–30.CrossRefPubMed
38.
Vaile J, Halson S, Gill N, Dawson B. Effect of hydrotherapy on recovery from fatigue. Int J Sports Med. 2008;29(7):539–44.CrossRefPubMed
39.
Solianik R, Skurvydas A, Pukenas K, et al. Comparison of the effects of whole-body cooling during fatiguing exercise in males and females. Cryobiology. 2015;71(1):112–8.CrossRefPubMed
40.
Pointon M, Duffield R, Cannon J, et al. Cold application for neuromuscular recovery following intense lower-body exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2011;111(12):2977–86.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Can Water Temperature and Immersion Time Influence the Effect of Cold Water Immersion on Muscle Soreness? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors
Aryane Flauzino Machado
Paulo Henrique Ferreira
Jéssica Kirsch Micheletti
Aline Castilho de Almeida
Ítalo Ribeiro Lemes
Franciele Marques Vanderlei
Jayme Netto Junior
Carlos Marcelo Pastre
Publication date
01-04-2016
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Sports Medicine / Issue 4/2016
Print ISSN: 0112-1642
Electronic ISSN: 1179-2035
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0431-7

Other articles of this Issue 4/2016

Sports Medicine 4/2016 Go to the issue

Systematic Review

The ‘Quiet Eye’ and Motor Performance: A Systematic Review Based on Newell’s Constraints-Led Model

Systematic Review

At What Age Do Children and Adolescents Develop Lower Limb Tendon Pathology or Tendinopathy? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Erratum

Erratum to: Effect of Training Leading to Repetition Failure on Muscular Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Systematic Review

Effect of Training Leading to Repetition Failure on Muscular Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Systematic Review

The Effects of Ischemic Preconditioning on Human Exercise Performance

Current Opinion

Endurance Exercise and the Heart: Friend or Foe?