Abstract
Objectives Immersion is often used within the framework of post-exercise recovery. Vascular effects connected to immersion are not all understood. In this study we examined the changes in common femoral vein and great saphenous vein cross-section during thermoneutral, cold, and contrasting (cold followed by hot) water immersion. Methods Ten professional handball players visited the laboratory on three occasions. At each visit, they completed a 20-minutes procedure in an upright position: 4-minutes in air (baseline) and then 16-minutes of lower limbs thermoneutral (∼35 °C), cold (∼12 °C) or contrasting (2:2 minutes [∼12 °C to ∼35 °C] ratio) water temperature immersion, in a random order. Common femoral vein and great saphenous vein cross-sections were evaluated using echo Doppler at baseline and at the end of the 16 minute immersion period under each condition. Results Common femoral vein cross-section was significantly increased after 16 minutes of immersion after each condition (+20.6% with thermoneutral, +14% with contrast and +7% with cold-water immersion, main effect for time P < 0.05). At the great saphenous vein, there was a significant enlargement (+13%, P < 0.05) with thermoneutral water immersion, no difference (+1.4%, P > 0.05) during contrasting water temperature immersion and a significant decrease (−19%, P < 0.05) after 16 minutes of cold-water immersion. Conclusion Hydrostatic pressure, which is the same in the three immersion conditions, leads to an increase of the common femoral vein (deep venous system) cross-section no matter the water temperature. Conversely, the changes in great saphenous vein cross-section (superficial venous system) appear related to water temperature variations. This is probably related to thermoregulation mechanisms, which induce modifications in skin blood flow.
Translated title of the contribution | Effects of thermoneutral water, cold-water and contrasting water temperature immersions on lower limb vein cross-section |
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Original language | French |
Pages (from-to) | e53-e60 |
Journal | Science and Sports |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2017 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Femoral vein
- Hydrostatic pressure
- Hydrotherapy
- Recovery
- Saphenous vein
- Temperature
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine