Residual effects of short-term whole-body cold-water immersion on the cytokine profile, white blood cell count, and blood markers of stress

Figures & data

Table 1. Physical characteristics of the participants in the study.

Age, yr	23 ± 4
Height, cm	184.67 ± 3.32
Mass, kg	80.89 ± 7.95
Body mass index, kg m^−2	23.67 ± 1.85
Body fat, %	14.60 ± 3.25
Mean skinfold thickness, mm	10.46 ± 3.78
Body surface area, m^2	2.03 ± 0.11

The values are means ± SD.

Figure 1. Schematic representation of the experimental trial design.

Figure 2. Time-dependent changes in oxygen consumption (V_O2) (A), carbon dioxide production (V_CO2) (B), metabolic heat production (MHP) (C), and ventilation (V_E) (D) in the experimental (EXP) and control (CON) trials. The black-outlined yellow dots represent the data during cold-water immersion (CWI). Immediately after CWI, 5–7 min was needed to obtain the body temperature measurements, take blood samples, transfer the participant to the chair, and restart and set the gas analyzer; therefore, respiratory gas exchange measurements were not taken during this period. *p < 0.05 compared with the preimmersion value; #p < 0.05 compared with the CON trial. The data are expressed as the mean ± SD.

Figure 3. Time-dependent changes in rectal (A), skin (C), and muscle (D) temperatures (T), and heart rate (B) in the experimental (EXP) and control (CON) trials. The black-outlined yellow dots represent the data during the cold-water immersion (CWI). *p < 0.05 compared with the preimmersion value; #p < 0.05 compared with the control (CON) trial. The data are expressed as the mean ± SD.

Figure 4. Time-dependent changes in the root mean square (RMS) (A) and mean frequency (MnF) (B) of electromyography (EMG)-based pectoralis major muscle activity in the experimental (EXP) and control (CON) trials, and subjective thermal (C) and shivering (D) sensations in the EXP trial. The black-outlined yellow dots represent the data during the cold-water immersion (CWI). The dashed line represents the mean baseline value. Immediately after CWI, 5–7 min was needed to obtain the measurements, take blood samples, and transfer the participant to the chair; therefore, EMG activity was not measured during this period. *p < 0.05 compared with the preimmersion value; †p < 0.05 compared with the immersion time points (1, 5, or 10 min); #p < 0.05 compared with the CON trial. The data are expressed as the mean ± SD.

Figure 5. Time-dependent changes in cortisol (A), epinephrine (B), and norepinephrine (C) concentrations in the experimental (EXP) and control (CON) trials. *p < 0.05 compared with the preimmersion value; #p < 0.05 compared with the CON trial. The data are expressed as the mean ± SD.

Figure 6. Time-dependent changes in leukocyte count (A) and neutrophil (B), lymphocyte (C), and monocyte (D) percentages in the experimental (EXP) and control (CON) trials. *p < 0.05 compared with the preimmersion value; #p < 0.05 compared with the CON trial. The data are expressed as the mean ± SD.

Figure 7. Time-dependent changes in the blood concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) (A), interleukin 6 (IL-6) (B), and IL-1β (C) in the experimental (EXP) and control (CON) trials. *p < 0.05 compared with the preimmersion value; #p < 0.05 compared with the CON trial. The data are expressed as the mean ± SD.