Hot Water Immersion for Exercise Training

Overseen By Geoffrey L Hartley, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Nipissing University

Disqualifiers: Cardiovascular disease, Fainting, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 1 week

20 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of 5 days post-exercise hot water immersion on exercise performance at simulated altitude.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Post-Exercise Hot Water Immersion?

Research shows that hot water immersion after exercise can help reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery, similar to other water immersion strategies like cold water or contrast water therapy. Belief in the effectiveness of the treatment also plays a role in enhancing recovery. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is hot water immersion safe for humans?

The research articles provided focus on cold water immersion, which is generally considered safe for post-exercise recovery, but they do not provide specific safety data on hot water immersion. Therefore, there is no relevant safety information available for hot water immersion from these studies. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

How does hot water immersion differ from other treatments for exercise training?

Hot water immersion is unique because it uses heat to help the body adapt to exercise, potentially improving recovery and reducing muscle soreness. Unlike other treatments like cold water immersion, which focuses on reducing inflammation, hot water immersion may enhance heat acclimation and improve performance by increasing blood flow and muscle relaxation. ^{1 2 5 6 10}

Research Team

Geoffrey L Hartley, PhD

Principal Investigator

Nipissing University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for physically active individuals who exercise at least 90 minutes per week. It's not suitable for those living above 1500 meters, or with a history of heart disease or fainting.

Inclusion Criteria

Physically active (minimum of 90 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week)

Exclusion Criteria

Resident of over 1500 m above sea-level in the past year

I have a history of heart disease.

I have a history of fainting.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants cycle for 60 minutes at 50% of VO2 max followed by 30 minutes of hot water immersion for 5 consecutive days

1 week

5 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

2 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Post-Exercise Hot Water Immersion

Trial Overview The study tests if soaking in hot water after exercising can improve performance when it feels like you're high up in the mountains where the air is thin (simulated altitude).

Participant Groups

Group I: Post-Exercise Hot Water Immersion Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will cycle for 60 minutes at 50% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) followed by 30 minutes post-exercise hot water immersion (40oC) for 5 consecutive days.

Group II: Control group Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will cycle for 60 minutes at 50% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max); however, there will be not water immersion following exercise.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Nipissing University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

20+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute Inflammatory, Anthropometric, and Perceptual (Muscle Soreness) Effects of Postresistance Exercise Water Immersion in Junior International and Subelite Male Volleyball Athletes. [2022]

2. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A comparison of heat acclimation by post-exercise hot water immersion and exercise in the heat. [2021]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intramuscular Temperature Changes in the Quadriceps Femoris Muscle After Post-Exercise Cold-Water Immersion (10°C for 10 min): A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis. [2021]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of water immersion on posttraining recovery in Australian footballers. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Water immersion: does it enhance recovery from exercise? [2019]

6. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of water immersion methods on post-exercise recovery from simulated team sport exercise. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rectal Temperature Cooling Using 2 Cold-Water Immersion Preparation Strategies. [2023]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of cold water immersion and active recovery on hemodynamics and recovery of muscle strength following resistance exercise. [2020]

9. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Post exercise ice water immersion: Is it a form of active recovery? [2021]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of postexercise cooling on muscle oxygenation and blood volume changes. [2013]