Moderate muscle cooling induced by single and intermittent/prolonged cold-water immersions differently affects muscle contractile function in young males
Open Access
- 21 March 2023
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Frontiers Media SA in Frontiers in Physiology
- Vol. 14, 1172817
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1172817
Abstract
Background: We investigated the impact of moderate muscle cooling induced by single and intermittent/prolonged cold-water immersions (CWI) on muscle force and contractility in unfatigued state and during the development of fatigue resulting from electrically induced contractions. Methods: Twelve young males participated in this study consisting of two phases [single phase (SP) followed by intermittent/prolonged phase (IPP)], with both phases including two conditions (i.e., four trials in total) performed randomly: control passive sitting (CON) and CWI (10°C). SP-CWI included one 45 min-bath (from 15 to 60 min). IPP-CWI included three baths (45 min-bath from 15 to 60 min, and 15 min-baths from 165 to 180 min and from 255 to 270 min), with participants sitting at room temperature the rest of the time until 300 min. Blood pressure and intramuscular (Tmu) temperature were assessed, and neuromuscular testing was performed at baseline and 60 min after baseline during SP, and at baseline, 60, 90, 150 and 300 min after baseline during IPP. A fatiguing protocol (100 electrical stimulations) was performed after the last neuromuscular testing of each trial. Results: In unfatigued state, SP-CWI and IPP-CWI reduced electrically induced torque at 100 Hz (P100) but not at 20 Hz (P20), and increased P20/P100 ratio. The changes from baseline for P100 and P20/P100 ratio were lower in IPP-CWI than SP-CWI. Both CWI conditions slowed down muscle contraction and relaxation, and reduced maximal isokinetic contraction torque, but the changes from baseline were lower after IPP-CWI than SP-CWI. CWI did not impair maximal voluntary isometric contraction. During the fatiguing protocol, torque fatigue index and the changes in muscle contractile properties were larger after IPP-CWI than SP-CWI, but were in the same range as after CON conditions. The differences of muscle contractile function between SP-CWI and IPP-CWI were accompanied by a lower reduction of superficial Tmu and a smaller increase in systolic blood pressure after IPP-CWI than SP-CWI. Conclusion: IPP-CWI induces a less pronounced fast-to-slow contractile transition compared to SP-CWI, and this may result from the reduced vasoconstriction response and enhanced blood perfusion of the superficial muscle vessels, which could ultimately limit the reduction of superficial Tmu.Keywords
Funding Information
- Centrum för idrottsforskning (P2020-0119)
This publication has 48 references indexed in Scilit:
- Predictive value of strength loss as an indicator of muscle damage across multiple drop jumpsApplied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 2011
- Whole-body hypothermia has central and peripheral influences on elbow flexor performanceExperimental Physiology, 2011
- Effects of Peripheral Cooling on Characteristics of Local MuscleMedicine and sport science, 2008
- The effect of cryotherapy on nerve conduction velocity, pain threshold and pain tolerance * CommentaryBritish Journal of Sports Medicine, 2007
- Body Cooling Between Two Bouts of Exercise in the Heat Enhances Subsequent PerformanceJournal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2006
- Thermoregulation in Winter Swimmers and Physiological Significance of Human Catecholamine ThermogenesisExperimental Physiology, 2000
- Histochemical correlates of hamstring injuriesThe American Journal of Sports Medicine, 1984
- Influence of muscle temperature on maximal muscle strength and power output in human skeletal musclesActa Physiologica Scandinavica, 1979
- Mechano‐Elastic Properties of Human Muscles at Different TemperaturesActa Physiologica Scandinavica, 1976
- The Effect of Menthol on the ThermoreceptorsActa Physiologica Scandinavica, 1951