Effect of cold water immersion on exercise induced-inflammation

Immersion in cold water has been used as a therapeutic treatment for restoring physical activity and mental health. The effect of this method on reduction of exercise induced-inflammation is not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cold water immersion on CRP levels after an exhaustive aerobic training.

20 male table tennis athletes were participated in this study as the subjects. The subjects were divided into the passive recovery (n=10) or cold water immersion (n=10) groups. All the subjects were performed the Bruce test protocol as the exhaustive aerobic training. Blood CRP was measured at three times: before and immediately after the exhaustive aerobic training and after the recovery strategies.

The results showed that the CRP levels increased immediately after the exhaustive aerobic training in the two groups (P<0.05). Blood CRP levels decreased after 15 min passive recovery and cold water immersion compare to after the exhaustive aerobic training (P<0.05). Bonferroni Post hoc test indicates that no significant differences were observed between two types of recovery.

The results suggested that no significant differences are exist between the passive recovery and cold water immersion on reduction of exercise-induce inflammation; thus these two strategies are well for CRP reduction after intensive exercise.