The Effects of Cold Immersion on Muscle Strength

This study examined the effects of cold water immersion on isokinetic and isometric strength on 10 physically active male college students. Isokinetic knee extension strength (30,180,300, and 400 · sec−1) and isometric strength were assessed. Isometric testing consisted of 5-see isometric knee extension muscle actions at a 45° angle. Subjects randomly performed all three treatment conditions: a cold treatment (12°C), thermal neutral treatment (35.5°C), or nonimmersion room temperature treatment (22–23°C). For the cold and thermal neutral treatments both thighs were immersed in a whirlpool tank with moving water leveled to each subject's gluteal fold. Treatments lasted 45 min. Higher isokinetic velocities demonstrated a significant decrease in average peak torque, average power, and total work. No significant changes were observed for isometric force or low velocity movements. No significant decreases were observed for the angle of peak torque or for time to peak torque. This study demonstrated that if the thighs are immersed in cold water, functional strength performance at higher movement velocities will be impaired.