The Physiological Responses to Cold-Water Immersion and Subsequent Rest or Exercise

Authors

Yezica Ramirez, California State University, Los AngelesFollow
Aqueen Lenon, California State University, Los AngelesFollow
Shuto Tanaka, California State University, Los AngelesFollow
Matthew M. Minor, California State University, Los AngelesFollow
Ronnie Gonzalez, California State University, Los AngelesFollow
Ivan Farias-Martinez, California State University, Los AngelesFollow
Raffi Brodeyan, California State University, Los AngelesFollow
George H. Crocker, California State University, Los AngelesFollow

Abstract

Cold-water immersion (CWI) has increased in popularity – both as a recovery intervention after exercise and for possible chronic health benefits. In addition, a single CWI session evokes physiological responses that can be powerful tools to demonstrate core concepts of cardiorespiratory physiology. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the physiological responses to CWI and either light exercise or rest immediately afterwards. METHODS: Eight participants (29.4 ± 8.2 years old) were recruited from a graduate-level kinesiology course and paired based on sex (six men & two women) and body size (72.9 ± 11.2 kg). All participants sat quietly for 6 minutes followed by 15 minutes of lower-body CWI (10 °C). After which, each pair was randomized to either 9-min of 1.25 W/kg cycling or seated rest. Blood pressure, tympanic temperature and thermal sensensation were measured every 3 minutes throughout the entire protocol. Heart rate, minute ventilation, O₂ consumption and CO₂ production were measured continuously. RESULTS: There was no change in tympanic temperature during CWI compared to baseline, despite participants reporting increased perceived coldness. The initial cold shock was evidenced by an increase in blood pressure, oxygen pulse and minute ventilation at the onset of the 15-min CWI. Participants who cycled after CWI felt warmer than those who sat in a chair, yet their core temperature was lower than the sitting group. As expected, those who cycled had higher metabolic parameters relative to their own baseline, to their own cold water immersion and compared those who sat following CWI. Those who sat after CWI experienced a drop in blood pressure and lower heart rate compared to their pre-CWI measurements. CONCLUSION: Results from this study demonstrate the cold shock response at the onset of CWI, post-CWI hypotension, and the afterdrop effect following CWI. Aside from demonstrating concepts in cardiorespiratory physiology, understanding how the body responds to CWI during and prior to exercise is applicable to triathlon where competitors swim, often in cold water, and then cycle afterwards.

Recommended Citation

Ramirez, Yezica; Lenon, Aqueen; Tanaka, Shuto; Minor, Matthew M.; Gonzalez, Ronnie; Farias-Martinez, Ivan; Brodeyan, Raffi; and Crocker, George H. (2025) "The Physiological Responses to Cold-Water Immersion and Subsequent Rest or Exercise," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 5, Article 87.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss5/87