Effects of cold-water immersion on recovery and amino acid levels in athletes

The Effects of Delayed Versus Immediate Cold-water Immersion on Exercise Performance Recovery and Postprandial Plasma Aminoacidemia Following Exercise and Protein Consumption in Athletes

This study tests if taking cold baths helps athletes recover better from workouts and affects their amino acid levels.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 12 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 40 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: McGill University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Montreal, Quebec)
• Trial ID: NCT06698237 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how cold-water immersion impacts exercise performance recovery and post-exercise amino acid levels in athletes. Participants will undergo a series of performance tests and resistance training sessions after being immersed in cold water or thermoneutral water. The study requires participants to maintain a consistent diet and exercise routine leading up to testing days, which are spaced out to ensure accurate results. Female participants will be tested during a specific phase of their menstrual cycle to control for hormonal variations.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 18-40 who are competitive athletes with a history of regular resistance training.

Not a fit: Patients with uncontrolled diseases, musculoskeletal injuries, or those not actively competing in sports may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance recovery strategies for athletes, leading to improved performance and muscle recovery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown positive outcomes with cold-water immersion for recovery, suggesting this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria

To be eligible to participate in this study, a participant must meet all the following criteria:

1. Healthy adult between 18 - 40 years (inclusive).
2. Individual with a BMI between \>18.5 and \<30 kg/m2 (inclusive).
3. Individual who is in good general health (no uncontrolled diseases or conditions).
4. individual with a history of regular resistance training ≥2 per week for the past six-months.
5. Individual who is currently competing at the varsity, provincial, national or international level in their respective sport.
6. Individual who is free from any musculoskeletal injuries and/or conditions that might affect their ability to perform resistance exercises or undergo cold-water immersion.
7. Individual who has maintained stable use of medication and/or supplements, stable dietary and lifestyle habits, and stable body weight (weight loss or gain \<3 kg), for the last three-months prior to screening.
8. Individual who agrees to maintain usual training habits between sessions.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Individual who is lactating, pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study.
2. Females with irregular menstrual cycles (defined as outside 24-38 days cycle range, based on self-reports).
3. Individual who adheres to a diet (e.g., vegan diet) that restricts consumption of dairy products.
4. Has a known sensitivity, intolerability, or allergy to any of the study products or their excipients (i.e., lactose intolerant).
5. Weight loss or gain \> 3 kg in the 3 months prior to study visit 1.
6. Currently or planning to be on a weight loss regimen during the study.
7. Recent (within 2 weeks of screening visit) history of an episode of acute GI illness such as nausea/vomiting or diarrhea.
8. Have a history of irritable bowel disease (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), functional constipation or diarrhea (defined by the Rome IV diagnostic criteria), celiac disease, malabsorption, gastroparesis, diverticulosis, gastric or duodenal ulcers, pancreatitis, or eating disorder; or have a history of intestinal surgery (excluding appendectomy or herniorrhaphy) or bariatric surgery.
9. Have an abnormality or obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract precluding swallowing (e.g., dysphagia) and/or digestion (e.g., history of bowel obstruction).
10. Participated in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and/or colonoscopy or preparation within 3 months prior to screening visit.
11. Diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglyceridemia (i.e., elevated fasting low- density lipoprotein (LDL) (≥ 135 mg·dL-1; ≥ 3.5 mmol·L-1) or elevated triglycerides (≥ 150 mg·dL-1; ≥1.7 mmol·L-1).
12. Has a history of heart disease/cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension (≥ 140 systolic or ≥ 90 diastolic mmHg), kidney disease (dialysis or renal failure), hepatic impairment or disease.
13. Is Type I or Type II diabetic or pre-diabetic \[i.e., elevated fasting blood glucose levels (≥ 100 mg·dL-1; ≥ 5.6 mmol·L-1) and/or elevated hemoglobin A1c (≥ 6.0%)\].
14. Has a history of liver or gallbladder disease or stomach ulcers.
15. Has a positive medical history of unstable thyroid disease, previously diagnosed major affective disorder, psychiatric disorder that required hospitalization in the prior year, immune disorders and/or immunocompromised (e.g., HIV/AIDS).
16. Diagnosed with cancer (except localized skin cancer without metastases or in situ cervical cancer) within 5 years prior to the screening visit, or any clinically significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the potential participant at risk because of participation in the study, or influences the results or the potential participant's ability to participate in the study.
17. Major surgery in 3 months prior to screening or planned major surgery during the study.
18. History of alcohol or substance abuse (including cannabinoids) in the 12 months prior to screening (including having been hospitalized for such in an in-patient or out-patient intervention program).
19. Current or previous tobacco use within the last 6 months.
20. Self-report of blood donation totaling between 101 mL to 449 mL of blood within 30 days prior to screening or a blood donation of more than 450 mL within 56 days prior to baseline.
21. Self-report of donating plasma (e.g., plasmapheresis) within 14 days prior to screening.
22. Any other active or unstable medical conditions or use of medications/supplements/therapies that, in the opinion of the investigator, may adversely affect the participant's ability to complete the study or its measures or pose a significant risk to the participant.

Where this trial is running

Montreal, Quebec

• McGill University — Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Tyler Churchward-Venne, PhD

Conditions Sport Recovery; Aminoacidemia; Cold-water Immersion; Cold-water immersion; Protein; Performance; Athlete; Exercise physiology