Cold Water Immersion as a Method Supporting Post-Exercise Recovery

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of cold water immersion on changes in blood lactate concentration during post-exercise recovery in swimmers subjected to2-minute exercise test (front crawl swimming movements) using a VASA Swim Ergometer, with the maximum arm speed movements, as during the freestyle technique. The study covered 11 professional swimmers of the MKP Szczecin club, tested twice with a two-week interval. Each participant performed an exercise test twice, once with a passive recovery period, and the second time with cold water immersion after exercise, as a method potentially supporting the post-exercise recovery process. Each time before the test, immediately after and at 3, 6 and 9 minutes after exercise, the concentration of lactate in the capillary blood was measured. Statistical analysis of the obtained results showed that cold water immersion applied immediately after exercise resulted in a faster reduction of lactate concentration. The conducted research confirms that cold water immersion used in post-exercise recovery may be an effective method of restoring optimal physical fitness as part of the training process.