Effect of a single bout cold water immersion on perceptual and performance recovery in élite youth soccer players: a pilot study

Introduction: Cold water immersion (CWI) is one of the most used strategy to enhance recovery in soccer players. However, a clear efficacy of CWI on fatigue perception and sprint-performance after strenuous exercises are still lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of CWI on muscle soreness (DOMS) and sprint performance in young élite soccer players. Methods: Eleven young male élite soccer players (17±0.5 yrs) were randomly assigned to the intervention group (EXP) or control group (CON). A standardized high-intensity soccer-specific training session was performed by both groups and monitored by global positioning systems (GPS). Mechanical-work (MechW, calculated using accelerations and decelerations >3 ms2) was measure as parameter of muscular-load. After strenuous exercise, only EXP performed a 10 min cold-water immersion at 10° C (CWI) (Qryo, Italy). After 24h (+24), both group completed a visual-analog scale (0-10 cm) to determine perception of general, quadriceps, hamstring and calf DOMS. Additionally, they performed a shuttle run test (5x40 m with 1 min rest) to determine the decreases in sprint performance (SP). Results: Despite standardization, MechW was higher in EXP than CON (28338 vs 20834 m for EXP vs CON, respectively; P=0.008). At +24h, EXP reported a trend for greater decrease in general DOMS than CON (1.8 95% CI: 0.1-3.7 vs 0.0 95% CI: -1.8-1.2 cm.; P= 0.05), especially for quadriceps (1.9 95% CI: 0.2-5.2 vs -0.1 95% CI: -1.5-1.4 cm.; P= 0.03) with no differences for hamstrings and calf muscles. Moreover, no differences were observed between groups for SP. Conclusions: Despite a higher MechW, CWI seems to be effective to reduce DOMS (especially in quadriceps muscles) and to maintain sprint performance in young élite soccer players. These results should be acknowledged when planning recovery activities after matches or high-intensity training sessions in young élite soccer player.