Enhancing Post-Training Muscle Recovery and Strength in Paralympic Powerlifting Athletes with Cold-Water Immersion, a Cross-Sectional Study

Felipe J. Aidar, Wélia Yasmin Horacio dos Santos, Saulo da Cunha Machado, Albená Nunes-Silva, Érica Leandro Marciano Vieira, Diego Ignácio Valenzuela Pérez, Esteban Aedo-Muñoz, Ciro José Brito and Pantelis T. Nikolaidis ()
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Felipe J. Aidar: Graduate Program in Movement Science, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristovão 49107-230, SE, Brazil
Wélia Yasmin Horacio dos Santos: Graduate Program in Movement Science, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristovão 49107-230, SE, Brazil
Saulo da Cunha Machado: Graduate Program in Movement Science, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristovão 49107-230, SE, Brazil
Albená Nunes-Silva: Inflammation and Exercise Immunology Laboratory (LABIIEX), Federal University of Ouro Preto Sports Center, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil
Érica Leandro Marciano Vieira: Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia (ICB/UFMG), Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
Diego Ignácio Valenzuela Pérez: Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Salud, Magister en Ciencias la Actividad Física y Deportes Aplicadas al Entrenamiento Rehabilitación y Reintegro Deportivo, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago 4440000, Chile
Esteban Aedo-Muñoz: Departamento de Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación, Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Santiago 7750332, Chile
Ciro José Brito: Graduate Program of Physical Education, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, MG, Brazil
Pantelis T. Nikolaidis: School of Health and Caring Sciences, University of West Attica, 12241 Athens, Greece

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: (1) Background: The recovery method is important and decisive in the training system. This study aimed to assess the effects of various post-training recovery methods on muscle damage and strength indicators in Paralympic powerlifting athletes. (2) Methods: A crossover study was conducted involving eleven male athletes (25.4 ± 3.3 years, 70.3 ± 12.1 kg). Muscle damage was assessed using blood biochemical markers (cytokines IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α) and isometric force indicators, including the maximum isometric force (MIF), time to MIF, and Rate of Force Development. The following assessments were performed before, immediately after, and at 24 and 48 h after the recovery protocol: (a) passive recovery (RP) or (b) cold-water immersion (CWI). (3) Results: The main results indicated that maximum isometric force (MIF) significantly improved after 48 h of CWI application ( p < 0.05; for all comparison). The analysis of biochemical markers did not yield significant differences between the recovery methods at different time points ( p > 0.05). For IL-6, there were significant differences between CWI before (2.29 ± 1.08, 95% CI 1.57–3.01) and CWI 2 h later (2 h) (4.59 ± 2.96, 95% CI 2.60–6.57; p = 0.045), and between CWI 15 min later (15 min) (4.14 ± 2.24, 95% CI 2.63–5.64) and CWI 48 h later (48 h) (2.33 ± 1.25, 95% CI 1.49–3.17; p = 0.034). There were differences between CWI 2 h (4.14 ± 2.24, 95% CI 2.63–5.64) and CWI 48 h later (2.33 ± 1.25, 95% CI 1.49–3.17; p = 0.035; F = 9.202; η 2 p = 0.479; high effect). (4) Conclusions: CWI significantly improved the post-resistance training muscle damage and strength in Paralympic powerlifting athletes.

Keywords: Paralympic powerlifting; recovery methods; performance; training (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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