Cold Water Immersion, Heart Rate Variability and Post-Exercise Recovery: A Systematic Review.

IF 1.8 Q3 REHABILITATION Physiotherapy Research International Pub Date : 2025-04-01 DOI:10.1002/pri.70033

Cristian Galvez-Rodriguez, Pedro Valenzuela-Reyes, Soledad Fuentealba-Sepúlveda, Claudio Farias-Valenzuela, Alexis Espinoza Salinas

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Abstract

Introduction: Physiological and psychological recovery, i.e., the balance between fatigue/stress and recovery and evaluated through heart rate variability (HRV), is essential for the good performance of athletes in all their activities. Cold water immersion (CWI) has been shown to reduce the negative effects of fatigue/stress by inducing physiological and biochemical changes that promote faster recovery. This study aims to analyze the scientific literature on the effects of CWI on post-exercise recovery, as measured by HRV in athletes.

Methods: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and MEDLINE were included it. The risk of bias of each study selected was assessed using Cochrane's guidelines for RCT.

Results: Twelve articles were included. All studies reported parasympathetic reactivation with CWI after physical exertion. Six studies demonstrated statistically significant results (p < 0.05) compared to a passive recovery, while eight studies reported moderate to large effect sizes.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that CWI after exercise may have a positive acute effect on parasympathetic reactivation, as measured by HRV.

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冷水浸泡、心率变异性和运动后恢复：一项系统综述。

生理和心理恢复，即疲劳/压力和恢复之间的平衡，并通过心率变异性（HRV）来评估，对于运动员在所有活动中的良好表现至关重要。冷水浸泡（CWI）已被证明可以通过诱导生理和生化变化来减少疲劳/压力的负面影响，从而促进更快的恢复。本研究旨在分析CWI对运动员HRV测量的运动后恢复影响的科学文献。方法：根据PRISMA指南对随机临床试验（rct）进行系统评价。包括Scopus、Web of Science和MEDLINE等数据库。采用Cochrane随机对照试验指南对所选研究的偏倚风险进行评估。结果：共纳入12篇文章。所有的研究都报告了体力消耗后CWI副交感神经再激活。结论：本研究结果表明，运动后CWI可能对副交感神经再激活有积极的急性作用，通过HRV测量。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Physiotherapy Research International REHABILITATION-

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

5.90%

发文量

期刊介绍： Physiotherapy Research International is an international peer reviewed journal dedicated to the exchange of knowledge that is directly relevant to specialist areas of physiotherapy theory, practice, and research. Our aim is to promote a high level of scholarship and build on the current evidence base to inform the advancement of the physiotherapy profession. We publish original research on a wide range of topics e.g. Primary research testing new physiotherapy treatments; methodological research; measurement and outcome research and qualitative research of interest to researchers, clinicians and educators. Further, we aim to publish high quality papers that represent the range of cultures and settings where physiotherapy services are delivered. We attract a wide readership from physiotherapists and others working in diverse clinical and academic settings. We aim to promote an international debate amongst the profession about current best evidence based practice. Papers are directed primarily towards the physiotherapy profession, but can be relevant to a wide range of professional groups. The growth of interdisciplinary research is also key to our aims and scope, and we encourage relevant submissions from other professional groups. The journal actively encourages submissions which utilise a breadth of different methodologies and research designs to facilitate addressing key questions related to the physiotherapy practice. PRI seeks to encourage good quality topical debates on a range of relevant issues and promote critical reflection on decision making and implementation of physiotherapy interventions.