Regular cold-water immersion after high-intensity interval training sessions does not alter performance, intramuscular adaptations and recovery

Author(s)

Elvis de Souza Malta

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Bauru. 2022-05-20.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências. Bauru
• Defense date: 2022-04-01
• Advisor: Alessandro Moura Zagatto

Abstract

The aim of the present thesis was to investigate the effect of the regular use of cold-water immersion (CWI) after physical training on intramuscular adaptations, recovery and performance. The thesis was divided into two parts [review study (part I) and experimental study (part II)]. Part I aimed to review the effect of CWI regular use associated to resistance training, continuous and interval training on performance. Part II aimed to evaluate the effect of 5-weeks of CWI after high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions on intramuscular adaptations (satellite cell pool, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator [PGC- 1α] expression and type I and IIa fibers proportion), recovery (markers of muscle damage, pain, heart rate variability and neuromuscular performance), internal session load, maximal oxygen uptake and performance. In the review, a computerized search was performed in databases and were included controlled studies with humans, that has associated CWI (≤ 15°C) to training programs and Pre and Post training assessments. In the experimental study, 16 volunteers performed Pre and Post 5-week HIIT assessments (incremental test and maximal continuous test) associated with CWI or not (control). Muscle biopsies were performed before and after the HIIT program for quantification of satellite cells pool, PGC-1α expression and muscle fiber typing. During training, the internal load of the sessions and recovery (vertical jumps, pain, systemic muscle damage markers and autonomic response) were monitored. In the review study, CWI after resistance training decreased gains in maximum strength, maximum isometric strength and strength resistance (overall standardized mean of difference [SMD] = − 0.60), as well as for the performance of ballistic efforts (overall SMD = −0.61). On the other hand, CWI performed during continuous and interval training not affected time-trial performance (mean power), maximal aerobic power (overall SMD = −0.07), or time-trial duration (overall SMD = −0.07). 0.00). In the experimental study, CWI did not change the satellite cells pool, the PGC- 1α expression and the proportion of muscle fiber type (p ≥ 0.312). Still, there were no changes in cardiorespiratory and running performance gains (p ≥ 0.221). Therefore, the regular use of IAF does not affect performance gains in continuous and interval training, in addition to not altering cardiorespiratory and intramuscular adaptations and recovery parameters throughout the sessions, however, it seems to mitigate the strength gain of resistance training. Key-words: Cryotherapy; Muscle recovery; Performance; endurance training (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/21724-8 - Impact of cold-water immersion regular use after high-intensity interval training sessions on muscle repair, muscle adaptation and running performance
• Grantee: Elvis de Souza Malta
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate