Abstract
The aim of this systematic review was to examine the effect of Contrast Water Therapy (CWT) on recovery following exercise induced muscle damage. Controlled trials were identified from computerized literature searching and citation tracking performed up to February 2013. Eighteen trials met the inclusion criteria; all had a high risk of bias. Pooled data from 13 studies showed that CWT resulted in significantly greater improvements in muscle soreness at the five follow-up time points (<6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours) in comparison to passive recovery. Pooled data also showed that CWT significantly reduced muscle strength loss at each follow-up time (<6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours) in comparison to passive recovery. Despite comparing CWT to a large number of other recovery interventions, including cold water immersion, warm water immersion, compression, active recovery and stretching, there was little evidence for a superior treatment intervention. The current evidence base shows that CWT is superior to using passive recovery or rest after exercise; the magnitudes of these effects may be most relevant to an elite sporting population. There seems to be little difference in recovery outcome between CWT and other popular recovery interventions.
Highlights
Various modalities of recovery are currently used by athletes in an attempt to offset the negative effects of strenuous exercise
Our aim was to systematically review the literature addressing the effects of Contrast Water Therapy (CWT), following exercise inducing muscle damage, on outcomes relating to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), muscle damage, inflammation, muscle strength and power and to discuss their relevance to the sporting community
Studies meeting the following criteria were considered for review: 1) the study design was randomized into an intervention group (CWT) and a control group; 2) a least one outcome measure of muscle soreness, muscle damage, inflammation, muscle strength or power were reported; 3) only outcome variables measured immediately (0–6 h, i.e. ,6 h) after the first recovery session and at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h or 96 h post exercise were included; 4) CWT was applied within 1 h post exercise and 5) participants could be male or female and of any athletic training status
Summary
Various modalities of recovery are currently used by athletes in an attempt to offset the negative effects of strenuous exercise. The exact mechanisms responsible for damage, repair and adaptation have not been delineated, early research has suggested that the initial disruption to skeletal muscle following exercise is attributed to progressive degeneration of certain myofibres [12]. This is followed by secondary damage potentially initiated by a disruption to the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis [5]. ‘High-intensity exercises’ leading to repeated eccentric muscle contractions [13], tissue vibrations [14], high levels of collisions or impacts [15] and involving a high metabolic cost have been identified as a physiological [16] and mechanical stress leading to EIMD
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
