| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Physical demands from a soccer match results in decline of physiological performance and disturbances in biochemical markers. Cold water immersion (CWI) is a recovery strategy commonly used among soccer players to accelerate recovery process. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of post-match CWI on perceived fatigue, inflammation, and physical performance in elite soccer players.
Methods: 19 male soccer players from Ranheim Top football participated in the study. Post-match CWI (experimental) at 12oC for 15 minutes was used as a recovery strategy for home matches while on away matches participants received no CWI (control). Next day perceived fatigue was measured using rating of fatigue (ROF) scale, C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured to quantify inflammatory response as well as 5-repeated jump (5-RJ) test and drop jump (DJ) test as assessment of recovery of physical performance
Results: Post-match CWI reduced perceived fatigue by 6.63% (p=0.003) compared to control. Most noticeable effect were observed in defenders (-7.20%, p=0.04) and midfielders (-11.08%, p=0.013). Post-match CWI resulted in a trend towards higher rise in CRP levels from baseline compared to the no CWI (195% vs 164%, p=0.095). No significant differences were observed for post-match CWI ability in limiting decrements in jump performance in either 5-repeated jump or drop jump test compared to no CWI.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that CWI was more effective than control in improving perceived fatigue. No beneficial effect was observed for jump performance or inflammatory markers on the next day following post-match CWI.
Keywords: soccer, recovery, cold water immersion, fatigue, inflammation, jump performance | |
