Effects of cold water immersion on circulating inflammatory markers at the Kona Ironman World Championship.

Cold water immersion (CWI) purportedly reduces inflammation and improves muscle recovery after exercise, yet its effectiveness in specific contexts (ultraendurance) remains unclear. Thus, our aim was to study hematological profiles, systemic inflammation, and muscle damage responses to a specific post-race CWI (vs. control) during recovery after the Ironman World Championship, a culmination of ∼100 000 athletes competing in global qualifying Ironman events each year. Twenty-nine competitors were randomized into either a CWI or control (CON) group. Physiological parameters and blood samples were taken at pre-race, after intervention (POST), and 24 (+1DAY) and 48 hours (+2DAY) following the race. Muscle damage markers (plasma myoglobin, serum creatine kinase) were elevated at POST, +1DAY, and +2DAY, while inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 and total leukocyte counts were increased only at POST. CWI had no effect on these markers. Numbers of the most abundant circulating cell type, neutrophils, were elevated at POST more so in CWI (p < 0.05, vs. CON). Despite that neutrophil counts may be a sensitive marker to detect subtle effects, CWI does not affect recovery markers 24- and 48-hours post-race (vs. CON). Overall, we determined that our short CWI protocol was not sufficient to improve recovery. Novelty: Ironman World Championship event increased circulating muscle damage markers, inflammatory markers, and hematological parameters, including circulating immune cell sub-populations that recover 24-48 hours after the race. 12-min CWI post-ultraendurance event affects the absolute numbers of neutrophils acutely, post-race (vs. CON), but does not impact recovery 24- and 48-hours post-race.

Heat Exposure and Hypohydration Exacerbate Physiological Strain During Load Carrying.

Adams, EL, Casa, DJ, Huggins, RA, DeMartini-Nolan, JK, Stearns, RL, Kennedy, RM, Bosworth, MM, DiStefano, LJ, Armstrong, LE, and Maresh, CM. Heat exposure and hypohydration exacerbate physiological strain during load carrying. J Strength Cond Res 33(3): 727-735, 2019-Heat exposure and hypohydration induce physiological and psychological strain during exercise; however, it is unknown if the separate effects of heat exposure and hypohydration are synergistic when co-occurring during loaded exercise. This study compared separate and combined effects of heat exposure and hypohydration on physiological strain, mood state, and visual vigilance during loaded exercise. Twelve men (mean ± SD; age, 20 ± 2 years; body mass, 74.0 ± 8.2 kg; maximal oxygen uptake, 57.0 ± 6.0 ml·kg·min) completed 4 trials under the following conditions: euhydrated temperate (EUT), hypohydrated temperate (HYT), euhydrated hot (EUH), and hypohydrated hot (HYH). Exercise was 90 minutes of treadmill walking (∼50% V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, 5% grade) while carrying a 45-lb rucksack. Profile of Mood States and the Scanning Visual Vigilance Test were completed before and after exercise. The separate effects of heat exposure (EUH) and hypohydration (HYT) on post-exercise rectal temperature (Tre) were similar (38.25 ± 0.63°C vs. 38.22 ± 0.29°C, respectively, p > 0.05), whereas in combination (HYH), post-exercise Tre was far greater (39.32 ± 0.43°C). Increase in Tre per 1% body mass loss (BML) for HYH (vs. EUH) was greater than HYT (vs. EUT) (0.32 vs. 0.04°C, respectively, p = 0.02); heart rate increase per 1% BML for HYH (vs. EUH) was 7 b·min compared with HYT (vs. EUT) at 3 b·min (p = 0.30). Hypohydrated hot induced greater mood disturbance (post-exercise - pre-exercise) (35 ± 21 units) compared with other conditions (EUT = 3 ± 9 units; HYT = 3 ± 16 units; EUH = 16 ± 26 units; p < 0.001). No differences occurred in visual vigilance (p > 0.05). Independently, heat exposure and hypohydration induced similar physiological strain during loaded exercise; when combined, heat exposure with hypohydration, synergistically exacerbated physiological strain and mood disturbance.

Influence of cold-water immersion on recovery of elite triathletes following the ironman world championship.

OBJECTIVES: Cold water immersion (CWI) has been widely used for enhancing athlete recovery though its use following an Ironman triathlon has never been examined. The purpose of this paper is to determine the influence of CWI immediately following an Ironman triathlon on markers of muscle damage, inflammation and muscle soreness. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Thirty three (22 male, 11 female), triathletes participating in the Ironman World Championships volunteered to participate (mean±SD: age=40±11years; height=174.5±9.1cm; body mass=70±11.8kg; percent body fat=11.4±4.1%, finish time=11:03.00±01:25.08). Post race, participants were randomly assigned to a 10-min bout of 10°C CWI or no-intervention control group. Data collection occurred pre-intervention (PRE), post-intervention (POST), 16h (16POST) and 40h (40POST) following the race. Linear mixed model ANOVA with Bonferroni corrections were performed to examine group by time differences for delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), hydration indices, myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK), cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and percent body mass loss (%BML). Pearson's bivariate correlations were used for comparisons with finishing time. Alpha level was set a priori at 0.05. RESULTS: No significant group by time interactions occurred. Significant differences occurred for POST BML (-1.7±0.9kg) vs. 16POST, and 40POST BML (0.9±1.4, -0.1±1.2kg, respectively; p<0.001). Compared to PRE, myoglobin, CRP and CK remained significantly elevated at 40POST. Cortisol returned to PRE values by 16POST and IL-6 returned to PRE values by 40POST. CONCLUSION: A single bout of CWI did not provide any physiological benefit during recovery from a triathlon within 40h post race. Effect of CWI beyond this time is unknown.

Examining the Influence of Exercise Intensity and Hydration on Gastrointestinal Temperature in Collegiate Football Players.

DeMartini-Nolan, JK, Martschinske, JL, Casa, DJ, Lopez, RM, Stearns, RL, Ganio, MS, and Coris, E. Examining the influence of exercise intensity and hydration on gastrointestinal temperature in collegiate football players. J Strength Cond Res 32(10): 2888-2896, 2018-Debate exists regarding the influence of intensity and hydration on body temperature during American football. The purpose of this study was to observe body core temperature responses with changes in intensity and hydration. Twenty-nine male football players (age = 21 ± 1 year, height = 187 ± 9 cm, mass = 110.1 ± 23.5 kg, body mass index [BMI] = 31.3 ± 5.0, and body surface area [BSA] = 2.34 ± 0.27 m) participated in 8 days of practice in a warm environment (wet bulb globe temperature: 29.6 ± 1.6° C). Participants were identified as starters (S; n = 12) or nonstarters (n = 17) and linemen (L; n = 14) or nonlinemen (NL; n = 15). Variables of interest included core body temperature (T), hydration status, and physical performance characteristics as measured by a global positioning system. Intensity measures of average heart rate (138 ± 9 bpm), low-velocity movement (4.2 ± 1.7%), high-velocity movement (0.6 ± 0.6%), and average velocity (0.36 ± 0.10 m·s) accounted for 42% of the variability observed in T (38.32 ± 0.34° C, r = 0.65, p = 0.01). Hydration measures (percent body mass loss = -1.56 ± 0.80%, urine specific gravity [Usg] = 1.025 ± 0.006, and urine color [Ucol] = 6 ± 1) did not add to the prediction of T (p = 0.83). Metrics of exercise intensity accounted for 39% of the variability observed in maximum T (38.83 ± 0.42° C, r = 0.62, p = 0.02). Hydration measures did not add to this prediction (p = 0.40). Low-velocity movement, high-velocity movement, average velocity, BMI, and BSA were significantly different (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p = 0.02, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively) between L vs. NL. Heart rate and T were not different between L and NL (p > 0.05). Exercise intensity primarily accounted for the rise in core body temperature. Although L spent less time at higher velocities, T was similar to NL, suggesting that differences in BMI and BSA added to thermoregulatory strain.