<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><italic>Study aim</italic>: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of cold-water immersion (CWI) vs. active recovery performed after each individual strength and endurance training session over a 10-week period of high-intensity combined strength and endurance training.<italic>Materials and methods</italic>: Seventeen healthy men completed 10 weeks of high-intensity combined strength and endurance training. One group (AR, n = 10) completed active recovery that included 15 minutes of running at 30–40% VO2max after every strength training session while the other group (CWI, n = 7) completed 5 minutes of active recovery (at the same intensity as the AR group) followed by 10 minutes of cold-water (12 ± 1°C) immersion. During CWI, the subjects were seated passively during the 10 minutes of cold-water immersion and the water level remained just below the pectoral muscles. Muscle strength and power were measured by isometric bilateral, 1 repetition maximum, leg press (ISOM LP) and countermovement jump (CMJ) height. Endurance performance was measured by a 3000 m running time trial. Serum testosterone, cortisol, and IGF-1 were assessed from venous blood samples.<italic>Results</italic>: ISOM LP and CMJ increased significantly over the training period, but 3000 m running time increased only marginally. Serum testosterone, cortisol, and IGF-1 remained unchanged over the intervention period. No differences between the groups were observed.<italic>Conclusions</italic>: AR and CWI were equally effective during 10 weeks of high-intensity combined strength and endurance training. Thus, physically active individuals participating in high-intensity combined strength and endurance training should use the recovery method they prefer.</abstract>

Study aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of cold-water immersion (CWI) vs. active recovery performed after each individual strength and endurance training session over a 10-week period of high-intensity combined strength and endurance training.Materials and methods: Seventeen healthy men completed 10 weeks of high-intensity combined strength and endurance training. One group (AR, n = 10) completed active recovery that included 15 minutes of running at 30–40% VO2max after every strength training session while the other group (CWI, n = 7) completed 5 minutes of active recovery (at the same intensity as the AR group) followed by 10 minutes of cold-water (12 ± 1°C) immersion. During CWI, the subjects were seated passively during the 10 minutes of cold-water immersion and the water level remained just below the pectoral muscles. Muscle strength and power were measured by isometric bilateral, 1 repetition maximum, leg press (ISOM LP) and countermovement jump (CMJ) height. Endurance performance was measured by a 3000 m running time trial. Serum testosterone, cortisol, and IGF-1 were assessed from venous blood samples.Results: ISOM LP and CMJ increased significantly over the training period, but 3000 m running time increased only marginally. Serum testosterone, cortisol, and IGF-1 remained unchanged over the intervention period. No differences between the groups were observed.Conclusions: AR and CWI were equally effective during 10 weeks of high-intensity combined strength and endurance training. Thus, physically active individuals participating in high-intensity combined strength and endurance training should use the recovery method they prefer.

Cold-water immersion combined with active recovery is equally as effective as active recovery during 10 weeks of high-intensity combined strength and endurance training in men

Neuromuscular Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences

Department of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre

Biomedical Human Kinetics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Study aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of cold-water immersion (CWI) vs. active recovery performed after each individual strength and...

Cold-water immersion combined with active recovery is equally as effective as active recovery during 10 weeks of high-intensity combined strength and endurance training in men

Published Online: Dec 17, 2019

Page range: 189 - 192

Received: Sep 11, 2019

Accepted: Nov 18, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/bhk-2019-0026

Keywords
Cold water immersion, Combined strength and endurance training, Recovery

© 2019 Ritva S. Taipale et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Cold-water immersion combined with active recovery is equally as effective as active recovery during 10 weeks of high-intensity combined strength and endurance training in men

Published Online: Dec 17, 2019

Page range: 189 - 192

Received: Sep 11, 2019

Accepted: Nov 18, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/bhk-2019-0026

KeywordsCold water immersion, Combined strength and endurance training, Recovery

© 2019 Ritva S. Taipale et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
Cold water immersion, Combined strength and endurance training, Recovery