The effect of cold water immersion recovery on sport performance and muscle damage biomarkers subsequent repeated sprint activities in young male soccer players

The aim of this study assessment effect of cold water immersion recovery on muscle damage and sport performance was followed by repetitive rapid activity in young male soccer players. For this applied research, 30 young soccer players were selected based on inclusion criteria. Fat Percentage, VO2max, strength and power of the subjects were measured and then randomly divided into two groups of 15 people including cold water immersion group (CWI) and control group (C). After 24 hours of evaluation of physical fitness tests, the first stage blood sampling was performed to determine the plasma levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Creatine kinase (CK) and after 24 hours all subjects performed the rapid activity repetition training protocol and subsequently At the end of the exercise, the control group experienced active recovery and the immersion group experienced the cold water immersion protocol. Finally, after 24 and 48 hours of the training session, blood sampling and physical fitness indices similar to the pre-test were measured. Analysis of variance with repeated measures at the significance level of p<0.05 were used to examine intragroup or intergroup changes. The results showed that recovery by cold water immersion did not increase CK and LDH levels. Also, the performance of variables such as oxygen consumption, strength and muscle power not decreased in both groups (P> 0.05). Plasma CK levels in group C increased significantly 24 and 48 hours after recovery (P= 0.0001). Also, LDH in group C had a significant increase 24 and 48 hours after recovery (P= 0.0001). However, plasma CK levels in the CWI group did not show a significant increase 24 and 48 hours after recovery. Also, plasma LDH levels in the CWI group increased significantly 24 hours after recovery (P= 0.0001) but did not show a significant increase 48 hours after recovery. The results of this study showed that the recovery method by cold water immersion is probably effective in reducing muscle damage due to intense training and trainers can use this recovery method to reduce muscle damage after intense training.