The effects of Cold Water Immersion on the performance of soccer specific fitness test

Abstract

In the present study, we examined the application of cold water immersion (CWI) between Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery (YYIR) tests as fatiguing task in competitive soccer players. Subjects were 13 male university soccer players, and we conducted YYIR tests on these subjects to simulate the first and second halves of actual games. We compared changes in distance completed in the YYIR tests, skin temperature of the anterior thigh, knee extension strength, vertical jumping height, and 30m splint time under the conditions of 1) CWI between YYIR tests or 2) rest in sitting position. Results showed that the CWI prevented decrease the running distance in the second half YYIR tests. Therefore, CWI had an effect on prevent decrease intermittent high intensity athletic capacity. However, CWI decreased vertical jump height and 30m splint speed such as high power performance. Hence, these results showed a negative effect in high power performance, thereby strongly suggesting the necessity of a re-warmup for actual application in games.