Central and peripheral adjustments during high-intensity exercise following cold water immersion

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology 2014-01, Vol.114 (1), p.147-163
• Main Authors: Stanley, Jamie, Peake, Jonathan M., Coombes, Jeff S., Buchheit, Martin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cold; Cold Temperature; Cross-Over Studies; Exercise; Heart rate; Hemodynamics; Hemoglobin; Hemoglobins - metabolism; Human Physiology; Humans; Hydrotherapy - methods; Immersion; Interval training; Linens; Male; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original Article; Oxygen Consumption; Physiology; Quadriceps Muscle - blood supply; Quadriceps Muscle - metabolism; Quadriceps Muscle - physiology; Resistance Training; Sports Medicine
• ISSN: 1439-6319; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-013-2755-z

Purpose We investigated the acute effects of cold water immersion (CWI) or passive recovery (PAS) on physiological responses during high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Methods In a crossover design, 14 cyclists completed 2 HIIT sessions (HIIT1 and HIIT2) separated by 30 min. Between HIIT sessions, they stood in cold water (10 °C) up to their umbilicus, or at room temperature (27 °C) for 5 min. The natural logarithm of square-root of mean squared differences of successive R–R intervals (ln rMSSD) was assessed pre- and post-HIIT1 and HIIT2. Stroke volume (SV), cardiac output ( Q ˙ ), O 2 uptake ( V ˙ O 2 ), total muscle hemoglobin ( t Hb ) and oxygenation of the vastus lateralis were recorded (using near infrared spectroscopy); heart rate, Q ˙ , and V ˙ O 2 on-kinetics (i.e., mean response time, MRT), muscle de-oxygenation rate, and anaerobic contribution to exercise were calculated for HIIT1 and HIIT2. Results ln rMSSD was likely higher [between-trial difference (90 % confidence interval) [+13.2 % (3.3; 24.0)] after CWI compared with PAS. CWI also likely increased SV [+5.9 % (−0.1; 12.1)], possibly increased Q ˙ [+4.4 % (−1.0; 10.3)], possibly slowed Q ˙ MRT [+18.3 % (−4.1; 46.0)], very likely slowed V ˙ O 2 MRT [+16.5 % (5.8; 28.4)], and likely increased the anaerobic contribution to exercise [+9.7 % (−1.7; 22.5)]. Conclusion CWI between HIIT slowed V ˙ O 2 on-kinetics, leading to increased anaerobic contribution during HIIT2. This detrimental effect of CWI was likely related to peripheral adjustments, because the slowing of V ˙ O 2 on-kinetics was twofold greater than that of central delivery of O 2 (i.e., Q ˙ ). CWI has detrimental effects on high-intensity aerobic exercise performance that persist for ≥45 min.