Abstract
Background: One of the most challenging environmental extremes is immersion in cold/icy water, and consequent common assumption is that even a brief exposure to cold can lead to cold-related illnesses. The increase in the concentrations of the stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine (Epi), and norepinephrine (NE) in response to acute cold stress are thought to suppress the release of proinflammatory cytokines. No previous study has explored the residual consequences of whole-body short-term cold-water immersion (CWI; 14 °C for 10 min) on the immune response in healthy non-acclimated young adult men (aged 20–30 years). Materials and methods: In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that short-term acute whole-body CWI would induce high blood levels of cortisol, NE, and Epi, which in turn would increase circulating leukocyte numbers and delay the production of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and IL-6). Results: Short-term whole-body CWI produced a stressful physiological reaction, as manifested by hyperventilation and increased muscle shivering, metabolic heat production, and heart rate. CWI also induced the marked release of the stress hormones Epi, NE, and cortisol. The change in IL-6 concentration after CWI was delayed and TNF-α production was decreased, but IL-1β was not affected within 48 h after CWI. A delayed increase in neutrophil percentage and decrease in lymphocyte percentage occurred after CWI. Conclusion: These findings suggest that, even though CWI caused changes in stress and immune markers, the participants showed no predisposition to symptoms of the common cold within 48 h after CWI.
Highlights
Accidental falls into cold/icy water are relatively common in some recreational and occupational activities
Perhaps one of the most challenging environmental extremes is immersion in cold/icy water, which is frequently encountered by athletes, workers in extreme environments, and soldiers [52,53,54]
We found that short-term whole-body cold-water immersion (CWI) produced a stressful physiological reaction, which was manifested as hyperventilation, increased muscle EMG-based shivering, Metabolic heat production (MHP), and heart rate (HR)
Summary
Accidental falls into cold/icy water are relatively common in some recreational and occupational activities. In non-cold-adapted people, initial head-out cold-water immersion (CWI) at a water temperature below 15 C is a physiologically stressful event that induces a response known as the “cold shock” response, which can be hazardous [2,6,7]. This response occurs exclusively via stimulation of low-temperature-sensitive receptors (e.g. TRPM8 and/ or TRPA1) in cutaneous nerve endings [8,9,10], which evokes inspiratory gasps, hyperventilation, tachycardia, peripheral vasoconstriction, and increased blood pressure. Conclusion: These findings suggest that, even though CWI caused changes in stress and immune markers, the participants showed no predisposition to symptoms of the common cold within 48 h after CWI
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