Ice baths after a load in high-performance sport is a common means to promote the Regeneration and adaptation to intense Training. Studies have already shown that they can decrease the Occurrence of muscle pain.
Scientists at the University of Maastricht has now studied the effects of cold-water baths on muscle training, and in particular the myofibrilläre protein synthesis. Subjects performed within two weeks of the seven units of strength training in with both feet. After the Training, a leg was bathed in cold water. The analysis using stable isotopes showed to synthesize that in this leg, the ability of the muscle, amino acids, and/or muscle proteins to be incorporated, was less than in the other leg. This suggests that muscle-building and cold baths could interfere with each other. Also, previous studies have obtained similar results. The regression of necrotic tissue and differentiation, for the healing of the major satellite cells were delayed under the influence of ice cream.
Another effect that could be for the serious athlete, relevant, was also observed In rats treated for 28 days with ice, changes in the amount and arrangement of the collagen fibers in the muscle significantly. In the ice group all of the muscle were surrounded by fibers of collagen fibers, which led to a round cross-section, while in the control group, the collagen fibers were only a few and without special arrangement available. Prof. Werner Klingler, a specialist in physiology and fascia researchers at the University of Ulm, said the DZSM that this effect for high-performance athletes could be advantageous, since the connective tissue may be more rigid and thus, the power transmission is improved. Athletes who strive to build muscle, you should reconsider cold applications to the load.
