Topical Cooling (Icing) Delays Recovery From Eccentric Exercise–Induced Muscle Damage

• DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0b013e318267a22c
• Publication Date: 2012-07-19T13:15:24Z
• Authors: Ching-Yu Tseng; Jo-Ping Lee; Yung-Shen Tsai; Shin-Da Lee; Chung-Lan Kao; Te-Chih Liu; Cheng- Hsiu Lai; M. Brennan Harris; Chia-Hua Kuo
• Keywords: Creatine kinase; Crossover study

Tseng, C-Y, Lee, J-P, Tsai, Y-S, S-D, Kao, C-L, Liu, T-C, Lai, C-S, Harris, MB, and Kuo, C-H. Topical Cooling (Icing) Delays Recovery From Eccentric Exercise–Induced Muscle Damage. J Strength Cond Res 27(5): 1354–1361, 2013—It is generally thought that topical cooling can interfere with blood perfusion may have positive effects on recovery from a traumatic challenge. This study examined the influence of muscle damage markers hemodynamic changes during eccentric exercise. Eleven male subjects (age 20.2 ± 0.3 years) performed 6 sets elbow extension at 85% maximum voluntary load randomly assigned to or sham groups in randomized crossover fashion. Cold packs were applied exercised for 15 minutes 0, 3, 24, 48, 72 hours after The exercise significantly elevated circulating creatine kinase-MB isoform (CK-MB) myoglobin levels. Unexpectedly, greater elevations CK-MB above control level noted trial 48–72 post-exercise period. Subjective fatigue feeling was compared controls. Removal cold pack also led protracted rebound hemoglobin concentration Measures interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, IL-1β, strength not influenced by cooling. A peak shift IL-12p70 These data suggest cooling, commonly used clinical intervention, seems improve but rather delay exercise–induced damage.