The Effects of In-Water versus Out-of-Water Active Recoveries on Cytokines and CK Production after Repeated Sprint Swimming Bouts

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of the in-water (IN) and out-of-water (OUT) active recoveries on cytokines (IL-6 and CRP), CK and lactate changes after repeated sprint swimming bouts. 16 male 
swimmers (age: 19 ± 4 years, weight: 75 ± 12 kg) volunteered to participate in this study and performed two 
protocols of IN or OUT recoveries. The subjects performed six 50-m sprint swimming bouts with a 120-
seconds interval between the pair of bouts with either IN or OUT recoveries. Blood samples were gathered 
from antecubital vein at the baseline, and at the third and sixth sprint swimming bouts following either IN or 
OUT recoveries. Repeated measures of ANOVA showed that serum IL-6, CRP, CK and blood lactate concentration increased gradually after the third and sixth sprint swimming bouts, when compared to the baseline 
concentration. Although the cytokines and CK concentration increased more after OUT recovery, there was no 
significant difference between the two forms of recovery. Our data suggest that out-of-water recovery after repeated sprint swimming bouts was associated with higher blood lactate levels. However, repeated sprint
swimming induced inflammatory responses were not affected by IN or OUT recoveries, at least immediately 
after intensive swimming

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