Effects of recovery using contrast water therapy or compression stockings on subsequent 5-min cycling performance
Journal Title: Journal of Science and Cycling - Year 2013, Vol 2, Issue 2
Abstract
Many researchers have investigated the effectiveness of contrast water therapy (CWT) or compression stockings (CS) during recovery, using subsequent performance as the principal outcome measure. However, data in the literature are contradictory, mainly because of the methodology used. Purpose: Based on well-controlled performance measures, this study aimed to compare the effects of CWT, CS or passive recovery (PR) on subsequent performance. Methods: After inclusion based on reproducibility criteria (intra-participant variability in performance test lower than the expected differences between the recovery interventions, i.e. 1.5%), 12 competitive male cyclists (peak power output: 5.0 ± 0.2 W/kg; cycling practice: 4.9 ± 0.4 times/week; intra-participant variability: 1.2 ± 0.2%) came to the laboratory three times in a random crossover design. Each time visit, they performed a tiring exercise on a cycle ergometer, followed by a 5-min performance test during which the mean power output was recorded, separated by a 15-min recovery period during which a 12-min PR, CWT (1:2 (cold: 10-12°C to warm: 36-38°C) min ratio) or CS (~20 mmHg) was implemented. Results: Compared with PR (353.8 ± 13.1 W), performance was significantly higher after CWT (368.1 ± 12.3 W) and CS (360.5 ± 14.8 W). Moreover, performance was significantly higher after CWT than after CS. Conclusion: Athletes can use this information as a way of improving their performance in competition format using repeated high-intensity exercises in a short period of time, such as in mountain bike, track or BMX races. Moreover, these data reinforce interest for researchers to consider performance tests with high test-retest reproducibility, especially when small but real benefits are expected.
Authors and Affiliations
Arnaud Ménétrier| EA3920 Marqueurs Pronostiques et Facteurs de Régulations des Pathologies Cardiaques et Vasculaires, Plateforme Exercice Performance Santé Innovation, SFR FED 4234, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France, Julien Pinot| EA4660 Laboratoire Culture Sport Santé Société, Plateforme Exercice Performance Santé Innovation, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France., Laurent Mourot| EA4660 Laboratoire Culture Sport Santé Société, Plateforme Exercice Performance Santé Innovation, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.Centre d’Investigation Clinique INSERM CIT 808, CHRU de Besançon, France., Frédéric Grappe| EA4660 Laboratoire Culture Sport Santé Société, Plateforme Exercice Performance Santé Innovation, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France., Malika Bouhaddi| EA3920 Marqueurs Pronostiques et Facteurs de Régulations des Pathologies Cardiaques et Vasculaires, Plateforme Exercice Performance Santé Innovation, SFR FED 4234, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.Exploration Fonctionnelles, CHRU de Besançon, France., Jacques Regnard| EA3920 Marqueurs Pronostiques et Facteurs de Régulations des Pathologies Cardiaques et Vasculaires, Plateforme Exercice Performance Santé Innovation, SFR FED 4234, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.Exploration Fonctionnelles, CHRU de Besançon, France., Nicolas Tordi| Centre d’Investigation Clinique INSERM CIT 808, CHRU de Besançon, France.EA4267 Fonctions et Dysfonctions Epithéliales, Plateforme Exercice Performance Santé Innovation, SFR FED 4234, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.
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