Key result
Five minutes of daily cold water immersion following training increased parasympathetic activity (Ln rMSSD increased by 30.4% on day 4) and improved perceived sleep quality compared to control.
Why the study?
Does daily cold water immersion improve parasympathetic activity and subjective well-being in highly trained swimmers?
RCT (n=8)
Randomized order
Does daily cold water immersion improve parasympathetic activity and subjective well-being in highly trained swimmers?
Effect estimate: 30.4% difference on day 4 (95% CI 12.2-51.6)
Five minutes of cold water immersion following training can reduce the usual exercise-induced decrease in parasympathetic activity and improve perceived sleep quality in highly trained swimmers.
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May support brief post-training cold water immersion in swimmers; extends RCT evidence on autonomic recovery in athletes.
Haddad et al. (2012) conducted an RCT in Highly trained swimmers (n=8). Cold water immersion vs. No cold water immersion (seated recovery) was evaluated on Parasympathetic activity (Ln rMSSD) and subjective ratings of well-being (quality of sleep) (30.4% difference on day 4, 95% CI 12.2-51.6). Five minutes of daily cold water immersion following training increased parasympathetic activity (Ln rMSSD increased by 30.4% on day 4) and improved perceived sleep quality compared to control.
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