Enhancing Post-Training Muscle Recovery and Strength in Paralympic Powerlifting Athletes with Cold-Water Immersion, a Cross-Sectional Study

Overview

Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health

Publisher MDPI

Date 2025 Jan 25

PMID 39857575

Authors

Felipe J Aidar

Welia Yasmin Horacio Dos Santos

Saulo da Cunha Machado

Albena Nunes-Silva

Erica Leandro Marciano Vieira

Diego Ignacio Valenzuela Perez

Esteban Aedo-Munoz

Ciro Jose Brito

Pantelis T Nikolaidis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

(1) Background: The recovery method is important and decisive in the training system. This study aimed to assess the effects of various post-training recovery methods on muscle damage and strength indicators in Paralympic powerlifting athletes. (2) Methods: A crossover study was conducted involving eleven male athletes (25.4 ± 3.3 years, 70.3 ± 12.1 kg). Muscle damage was assessed using blood biochemical markers (cytokines IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α) and isometric force indicators, including the maximum isometric force (MIF), time to MIF, and Rate of Force Development. The following assessments were performed before, immediately after, and at 24 and 48 h after the recovery protocol: (a) passive recovery (RP) or (b) cold-water immersion (CWI). (3) Results: The main results indicated that maximum isometric force (MIF) significantly improved after 48 h of CWI application ( < 0.05; for all comparison). The analysis of biochemical markers did not yield significant differences between the recovery methods at different time points ( > 0.05). For IL-6, there were significant differences between CWI before (2.29 ± 1.08, 95% CI 1.57-3.01) and CWI 2 h later (2 h) (4.59 ± 2.96, 95% CI 2.60-6.57; = 0.045), and between CWI 15 min later (15 min) (4.14 ± 2.24, 95% CI 2.63-5.64) and CWI 48 h later (48 h) (2.33 ± 1.25, 95% CI 1.49-3.17; = 0.034). There were differences between CWI 2 h (4.14 ± 2.24, 95% CI 2.63-5.64) and CWI 48 h later (2.33 ± 1.25, 95% CI 1.49-3.17; = 0.035; F = 9.202; ηp = 0.479; high effect). (4) Conclusions: CWI significantly improved the post-resistance training muscle damage and strength in Paralympic powerlifting athletes.

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