ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Cold-water immersion (CWI) has been commonly used for muscle recovery, even with limited evidence of its efficacy.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CWI after a training session of jiu-jitsu athletes on creatine kinase (CK), functional strength tests, and isokinetic parameters.
Methods:
Twelve jiu-jitsu athletes (age 21.75 ± 3.10 years; BMI 24.65 ± 3.81 kg/m2; training time 3.41 ± 0.51 years) were selected. Considering that this is a crossover study, each group had the participation of 12 athletes with a 30-day wash-out. Participants were divided into two experimental groups: (I) control group (CON), in which the athletes did not underwent CWI, and (II) CWI group, in which athletes underwent CWI (~ 12 °C) for six minutes. The physical exertion was carried out in a training session with simulation of jiu-jitsu fights, with four fights five minutes each and an interval of three minutes between them. Plasma CK, static and dynamic protocols of the Kimono Grip Strength Test, and isokinetic parameters (peak torque, work, and power) were assessed before and after the experimental recovery procedures. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way analysis of variance (time and treatment). The level of significance was 5%.
Results:
The effect of time on the comparison of plasma CK (increase of 174.39 ± 99.95 IU/l for CON and increase of 187.91 ± 113.02 IU/l for CWI) and static test KGST (Δt of -5.83 ± 9.35 s for CON and Δt of -2.83 ± 13.94 s for CWI) was observed before and after the experimental recovery procedures, but without treatment effect (P> 0.05). Isokinetic parameters were not influenced (P>0.05).
Conclusion:
It is concluded that the CWI did not promote post-exertion recovery in jiu-jitsu athletes. Level of Evidence II; Lesser quality RCT.
Keywords:
Creatine kinase; Cryotherapy; Martial arts; Muscle strength; Rehabilitation.
