Prolonging the duration of cooling does not enhance recovery following a marathon.

Susan Y Kwiecien,Kirsty M Hicks,Glyn Howatson,Malachy P Mchugh,Karen M Keane

doi:10.1111/sms.13822

Susan Y Kwiecien, Kirsty M Hicks + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13822

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Abstract

Runners commonly utilize cryotherapy as part of their recovery strategy. Cryotherapy has been ineffective in mitigating signs and symptoms of muscle damage following marathon running and is limited by its duration of application. Phase change material (PCM) packs can prolong the duration of cooling. This study aimed to test the efficacy of prolonging the duration of cooling using PCM on perceptual recovery, neuromuscular function, and blood markers following a marathon run. Thirty participants completed a marathon run and were randomized to receive three hours of 15°C PCM treatment covering the quadriceps or recover without an intervention (control). Quadriceps soreness, strength, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, creatine kinase (CK), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were recorded at baseline, 24, 48, and 72hours after the marathon. Following the marathon, strength decreased in both groups (P<.0001), with no difference between groups. Compared to baseline, strength was reduced 24 (P=.004) and 48hours after the marathon (P=.008) in the control group, but only 24hours (P=.028) in the PCM group. Soreness increased (P<.0001) and CMJ height decreased (P<.0001) in both groups, with no difference between groups. Compared to baseline, CMJ height was not reduced on any days in the PCM group but was reduced in the control group 24 (P<.0001) and 48hours (P=.003) after the marathon. CK and hsCRP increased in both groups (P<.0001). Although the marathon run induced significant muscle damage, prolonging the duration of cooling using PCM did not accelerate the resolution of any dependent variables.

Highlights

Long distance endurance running, such as a marathon, can result in a range of signs and symptoms associated with exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD)
These results indicate that prolonged Phase change material (PCM) cooling was not an effective recovery strategy when administered after running a marathon
Wilson et al (2018) demonstrated that compared with control, neither cold water immersion (CWI) nor whole body cryotherapy were effective in accelerating recovery of strength loss, soreness, muscle function, and blood markers of muscle damage and inflammation after a marathon run

Summary

Introduction

Long distance endurance running, such as a marathon, can result in a range of signs and symptoms associated with exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD). The aetiology, temporal sequence of events, extent of muscle fibre damage, and magnitude of the inflammatory response are different following marathon running versus eccentric exercise[8,9]. Following eccentric exercise, full recovery normally occurs within two to seven days[10]. Muscle, cardiac, and inflammatory markers have been reported to remain elevated at day eight[1] and the repair of focal muscle fibre damage has been reported to take up to eight weeks[11]. Timely recovery from the symptoms associated with EIMD is critical

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