Effect of Body Composition on Physiological Responses to Cold Water Immersion and the Recovery of Exercise Performance

Purpose: To explore the influence of body composition on thermal responses to cold water immersion (CWI) and the recovery of exercise performance. Methods: Male subjects were stratified into two groups; low fat (LF; n=10); or high fat (HF; n=10). Subjects completed a high intensity interval test (HIIT) on a cycle ergometer followed by 15 min recovery intervention (control (CON) or CWI). Core temperature (Tc), skin temperature (Tsk) and heart rate were recorded continuously. Performance was assessed at baseline, immediately post-HIIT and 40 min post-recovery using a 4 min cycling time trial (TT), countermovement jump (CMJ), and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) tests. Perceptual measures (thermal sensation (TS), total quality of recovery (TQR), soreness and fatigue) were also assessed. Results: Tc and TS were significantly lower in LF compared to HF from 10 min (Tc: LF 36.5±0.5, HF 37.2±0.6°C; TS: LF 2.3±0.5, HF 3.0±0.7 arbitrary units (a.u.)) to 40 min (Tc: LF 36.1±0.6, HF 36.8±0.7°C; TS: LF 2.3±0.6, HF 3.2±0.7 a.u.) following CWI (P