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Effect of contrast water therapy duration on recovery of cycling performance: a dose–response study

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Abstract

This study investigated whether contrast water therapy (CWT) has a dose–response effect on recovery from high-intensity cycling. Eleven trained male cyclists completed four trials, each commencing with a 75-min cycling protocol containing six sets of five 15-s sprints and three 5-min time-trials in thermoneutral conditions. Ten minutes post-exercise, participants performed one of four recovery protocols: CWT for 6 min (CWT6), 12 min (CWT12), or 18 min (CWT18) duration, or a seated rest control trial. The CWT commenced in hot water (38.4 ± 0.6°C) and alternated between hot and cold water (14.6 ± 0.3°C) every minute with a 5-s changeover. The cycling protocol was repeated 2 h after completion of exercise bout one. Prior to exercise bout two, core temperature was lower in CWT12 (−0.19 ± 0.14°C, mean ± 90% CL) and CWT18 (−0.21 ± 0.10°C) than control. Compared with control, CWT6 substantially improved time-trial (1.5 ± 2.1%) and sprint performance (3.0 ± 3.1%), and CWT12 substantially improved sprint total work (4.3 ± 3.4%) and peak power (2.7 ± 3.8%) in exercise bout two. All CWT conditions generally improved thermal sensation, whole body fatigue and muscle soreness compared with control, but no differences existed between conditions in heart rate or rating of perceived exertion. In conclusion, CWT duration did not have a dose–response effect on recovery from high-intensity cycling; however, CWT for up to 12 min assisted recovery of cycling performance.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the generous assistance of the Australian Institute of Sport and The University of Western Australia for funding this study. In addition, Professor Will Hopkins is acknowledged for his valuable assistance with the statistical analysis.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standards

This study complies with the laws of Australia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Performance Recovery, Australian Institute of Sport, PO Box 176, Belconnen, ACT, 2616, Australia

    Nathan Versey & Shona Halson

  2. School of Sport Science Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    Nathan Versey & Brian Dawson

Authors
  1. Nathan Versey
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  2. Shona Halson
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  3. Brian Dawson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nathan Versey.

Additional information

Communicated by Jean-René Lacour.

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Versey, N., Halson, S. & Dawson, B. Effect of contrast water therapy duration on recovery of cycling performance: a dose–response study. Eur J Appl Physiol 111, 37–46 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1614-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1614-4

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