| Keywords |
Cold water immersion ; Downhill running ; Body temperature ; Muscle damage ; Muscle soreness |
| Abstract |
This study aimed to investigate the effect of lower body immersion to cold water followed by downhill treadmill running on muscle damage and pain sensation. Eleven college students participated in the study and were randomly assigned one of three experimental trials; cold (15oC) water immersion (CWI), thermoneutral (31oC) water immersion (TWI), and hot (40oC) water immersion (HWI). During pre-experimental test, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was determined and individual exercise intensity of 70% of VO2max which used during experimental trial was obtained. During each trial, they rested 30 min in an ambient air and immersed in one of three water temperature conditions for 15 min. Then they ran on a downhill treadmill sustained at ?17.6% for 40 min. Before and after immersion period and exercise, body core and skin temperature was measured. Blood creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as indicators of muscle damage was measured before, immediately after, 1 hr after, and 24 hr after exercise. Based on results, body core and mean skin temperature in HWI were significantly different from other two conditions after immersion. No interactions were found in CK and LDH. Although no interactions were found in pain sensations, it was elevated immediately after exercise and maintained high until 24 hr after exercise in HWI. Pain sensation was also significantly different between TWI and HWI at 24 hr after exercise. CK concentration as an indicator of muscle damage was not different among conditions, but the lowest increase was observed after 24 hr of exercise in TWI. TWI before exercise of inducing muscle damage was effective in reducing muscle pain sensation compared to HWI. |