Whilst this is not research evidence, members of the list may be interested
in a programme from the BBC series 'Peak Performance' broadcast in early
1996. The programme featured a 400m hurdler (name escapes me but he was a
USA runner and I think his name was Alan H....) who, following his weights
sessions, used a cold bath into which ice (!!!) was added as a method of
reducing exercise induced muscle soreness. At the time his goal was Olympic
gold which I believe he won later in 1996.
Ray Ponting
Exercise and Health Sciences Division
School of Applied Sciences
University Of Glamorgan
Glamorgan
CF37 1DL
UK
> -----Original Message-----
> From: IAN ROGERS [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Sunday, April 18, 1999 7:42 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Hot/cold as Possible treatments for Exercise induced
> muscle soreness
>
> Dear Matt,
> I'm afraid I don't have any references for this
> treatment,
> I learnt of the method from a Martial Arts teacher I had, and have seen it
> referred to in cycling magazines. I have also seen endurance cyclists
> using
> ice baths after a hard race. However, although extremely subjective,
> myself
> and others I know have used it after hard training, with slight soft
> tissue
> injuries, and ligament/tendon soreness. Therefore, it's not possible to
> say
> whether recovery times from training or injury are decreased, although it
> appears thus.
>
> I would suggest that the theoretical mechanisms by which it works, if at
> all, are simple. By alternating hot and cold you are causing vasodilation
> and vasoconstriction, thereby causing increases in the blood supply to the
> affected site, and removal of the blood-borne by-products of training and
> injury. Whether this is possible in deep-lying muscles is another
> question.
> Additionally, this alternation will cause muscle contraction, perhaps also
> acting on circulation.
>
> As far as I know there are no contraindications. I haven't seen any
> research
> on this treatment either. I hope this helps.
>
> Many regards,
> Ian
>
> Ian Rogers M.Med.Sci.
> 232, Broomhall St,
> SHEFFIELD S3 7SQ
> UK
>
> Tel. 0114 276 1018
> E-mail [log in to unmask]
> Website: www.sportconsult.freeserve.co.uk
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> From: Matt McEwan <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: 18 April 1999 12:37
> Subject: Re: Hot/cold as Possible treatments for Exercise induced muscle
> soreness
>
>
> The hot and cold treatment should be done as
> >follows: Firstly the shower water should be as hot or cold as the athlete
> >can bear. Be careful! Starting with warm water build up the heat to the
> >limit of reasonable tolerance, and once reached continue for three-5
> >minutes, then go to cold straightaway. Alternate between the two,
> changing
> >when the hot feels as the cold did and vice versa. Session shouldn't be
> any
> >longer than 15mins.
>
> Ian,
>
> I am interested in the use of hot/cold as an aid to recovery following
> intense exercise. A netball coach I work with heard about it at a lecture
> for sports coaches, basically along the same lines you describe, except
> using hot baths and immersion in ice baths. I have done Medline, embase,
> sports discus and cinahl searches and found not one reference backing this
> up. Can you shed any light on the suggested physiological benefits,
> contraindications, evidence supporting use of hot/ cold therapy
>
> regards
>
> Matt McEwan
> B App Sc (Physiotherapy)
> M App Sc (Sports Physiotherapy)
> Sydney, Australia
>
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