Accelerating recovery from metabolically and mechanically stressful exercise has been the focus of much research. Cold water immersion (CWI) is currently one of the most popular interventional strategies used after exercise. Studies investigating the effects of CWI in recovery after exercise have used a variety of parameters, temperature and duration, and no consensus seem to exist for optimal treatment criterion. Phase Change Material (PCM) is a thermal energy storage material technology, possesses the ability to absorb and store heat, and can provide long term constant cooling. The cooling effect of PCM depends on the capacity to absorb heat during periods when external heat load or body heat production exceeds heat loss. Much of previous research on PCM has focused on individual cooling to elicit thermal comfort. However, no literature exists on the application of PCM for recovery from exercise in athletes. PCM cooling on muscle damage following a bout of unaccustomed or eccentric-based exercise has not been investigated. The course of investigation is to establish the potential application of PCM for exercise recovery through a pilot study. Once efficacy has been proven, the potential benefit to clinical conditions where the reduction of the inflammatory process is favourable will be explored.
Susan, Y, Kwiecien. & Malachy P McHugh. (2016). The Efficacy of Cooling with Phase Change Material for the Treatment of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 48:5, 902.
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