Effects of cold-water, contrast-water therapy, and active recovery on blood biomarkers and pain in basketball players

Marcin Janusiak; Francisco T. González-Fernández; César Leão; Małgorzata Smoter; Aleksandra Kisilewicz; Sebastian Klich; Rui Miguel Silva

doi:10.2478/bhk-2026-0018

.blurhash-client-img { display: none !important; }

Effects of cold-water, contrast-water therapy, and active recovery on blood biomarkers and pain in basketball players

Biomedical Human Kinetics

Volume 18 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)

By: Marcin Janusiak , Francisco T. González-Fernández , César Leão , Małgorzata Smoter , Aleksandra Kisilewicz, Sebastian Klich and Rui Miguel Silva

Open Access

|May 2026

Abdelkrim, N. B., Chaouachi, A., Chamari, K., Chtara, M., & Castagna, C. (2010). Positional role and competitive-level men’s basketball players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24(5), 1346–1355.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Altarriba-Bartes, A., Peña, J., Vicens-Bordas, J., Milà-Villaroel, R., & Calleja-González, J. (2020). Post-competition recovery strategies in elite male soccer players. Effects on performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One, 15(10), e0240135. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240135.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Baird, M. F., Graham, S. M., Baker, J. S., & Bickerstaff, G. F. (2012). Creatine-kinase- and exercise-related muscle damage implications for muscle performance and recovery. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2012, 1–13. doi: 10.1155/2012/960363.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bieuzen, F., Bleakley, C. M., & Costello, J. T. (2013). Contrast water therapy and exercise induced muscle damage: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One, 8(4), e62356. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062356.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bishop, D., Ruch, N., & Paun, V. (2007). Effects of active versus passive recovery on thermoregulatory strain and performance in intermittent-sprint exercise. Medicine Science in Sports Exercise, 39(5), 872–879. doi: 10.1249/mss.0b013e318031b026.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bleakley, C. M., & Davison, G. W. (2010). What is the biochemical and physiological rationale for using cold-water immersion in sports recovery? A systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 44(3), 179–187. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2009.065565.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bonilla, D. A., Perez-Idarraga, A., Odriozola-Martinez, A., & Kreider, R. B. (2020). The 4R’s framework of nutritional strategies for post-exercise recovery: A review with emphasis on new generation of carbohydrates. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(1), 103. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18010103.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bouzigon, R., Grappe, F., Ravier, G., & Dugue, B. (2016). Whole- and partial-body cryostimulation/cryotherapy: Current technologies and practical applications. Journal of Thermal Biology, 61, 67–81. doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2016.08.009.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Brophy-Williams, N., Landers, G., & Wallman, K. (2011). Effect of immediate and delayed cold water immersion after a high intensity exercise session on subsequent run performance. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 10(4), 665–670. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2011.11.238.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Castien, R. F., Coppieters, M. W., Durge, T. S. C., & Scholten-Peeters, G. G. M. (2021). High concurrent validity between digital and analogue algometers to measure pressure pain thresholds in healthy participants and people with migraine: A cross-sectional study. The Journal of Headache and Pain, 22(1), 69. doi: 10.1186/s10194-021-01278-8.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cheung, K., Hume, P. A., & Maxwell, L. (2003). Delayed onset muscle soreness. Sports Medicine, 33(2), 145–164. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200333020-00005.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cunha, L. A., Costa, J. A., Marques, E. A., Brito, J., Lastella, M., & Figueiredo, P. (2023). The impact of sleep interventions on athletic performance: A systematic review. Sports Medicine – Open, 9(1), 58. doi: 10.1186/s40798-023-00599-z.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Doeven, S. H., Brink, M. S., Kosse, S. J., & Lemmink, K. A. P. M. (2018). Postmatch recovery of physical performance and biochemical markers in team ball sports: A systematic review. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, 4(1), e000264. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2017-000264.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dupuy, O., Douzi, W., Theurot, D., Bosquet, L., & Dugué, B. (2018). An evidence-based approach for choosing post-exercise recovery techniques to reduce markers of muscle damage, Soreness, fatigue, and inflammation: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Frontiers in Physiology, 9, 1–15. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00403.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dwan, K., Li, T., Altman, D. G., & Elbourne, D. (2019). CONSORT 2010 statement: Extension to randomised crossover trials. BMJ, 366, l4378. doi: 10.1136/bmj.l4378.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Fleckenstein, J., Simon, P., König, M., Vogt, L., & Banzer, W. (2017). The pain threshold of high-threshold mechanosensitive receptors subsequent to maximal eccentric exercise is a potential marker in the prediction of DOMS associated impairment. PLoS One, 12(10), e0185463. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185463.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Geneen, L., Smith, B., Clarke, C., Martin, D., Colvin, L. A., & Moore, R. A. (2014). Physical activity and exercise for chronic pain in adults: An overview of Cochrane reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014(8), CD011279. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011279.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Glasgow, P. D., Ferris, R., & Bleakley, C. M. (2014). Cold water immersion in the management of delayed-onset muscle soreness: Is dose important? A randomised controlled trial. Physical Therapy in Sport, 15(4), 228–233. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2014.01.002.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gulick, D. T., & Kimura, I. F. (1996). Delayed onset muscle soreness: What is it and how do we treat it? Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 5(3), 234–243. doi: 10.1123/jsr.5.3.234.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Halson, S. L. (2014). Monitoring training load to understand fatigue in athletes. Sports Medicine, 44(2), 139–147. doi: 10.1007/s40279-014-0253-z.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hebisz, R., Borkowski, J., & Hebisz, P. (2022). Creatine kinase and myoglobin plasma levels in mountain bike and road cyclists 1 h after the race. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(15), 9456. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19159456.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Higgins, T. R., Greene, D. A., & Baker, M. K. (2017). Effects of cold water immersion and contrast water therapy for recovery from team sport: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 31(5), 1443–1460. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001559.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hohenauer, E., Taeymans, J., Baeyens, J. P., Clarys, P., & Clijsen, R. (2015). The effect of post-exercise cryotherapy on recovery characteristics: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One, 10(9), 1–22. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139028.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hughes, D. C., Ellefsen, S., & Baar, K. (2018). Adaptations to endurance and strength training. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine, 8(6), 1–17. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a029769.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ihsan, M., Watson, G., & Abbiss, C. R. (2016). What are the physiological mechanisms for post-exercise cold water immersion in the recovery from prolonged endurance and intermittent exercise? Sports Medicine, 46(8), 1095–1109. doi: 10.1007/s40279-016-0483-3.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kang, H. (2021). Sample size determination and power analysis using the G*Power software. Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions, 18, 17. doi: 10.3352/JEEHP.2021.18.17.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kellmann, M., Bertollo, M., Bosquet, L., Brink, M., Coutts, A. J., Duffield, R., Erlacher, D., Halson, S. L., Hecksteden, A., Heidari, J., Wolfgang Kallus, K., Meeusen, R., Mujika, I., Robazza, C., Skorski, S., Venter, R., & Beckmann, J. (2018). Recovery and performance in sport: Consensus statement. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 13(2), 240–245. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2017-0759.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Klich, S., Krymski, I., Michalik, K., & Kawczyński, A. (2018). Effect of short-term cold-water immersion on muscle pain sensitivity in elite track cyclists. Physical Therapy in Sport, 32, 42–47. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2018.04.022.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lee, E. C., Fragala, M. S., Kavouras, S. A., Queen, R. M., Pryor, J. L., & Casa, D. J. (2017). Biomarkers in sports and exercise: Tracking health, performance, and recovery in athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 31(10), 2920–2937. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002122.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
López-Torres, O., Rodríguez-Longobardo, C., Escribano-Tabernero, R., & Fernández-Elías, V. E. (2023). Hydration, hyperthermia, glycogen, and recovery: Crucial factors in exercise performance – a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 15(20), 4442. doi: 10.3390/nu15204442.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Machado, A. F., Ferreira, P. H., Micheletti, J. K., de Almeida, A. C., Lemes, Í. R., Vanderlei, F. M., Netto Junior, J., & Pastre, C. M. (2016). Can water temperature and immersion time influence the effect of cold water immersion on muscle soreness? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 46(4), 503–514. doi: 10.1007/S40279-015-0431-7.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mihajlovic, M., Cabarkapa, D., Cabarkapa, D. V., Philipp, N. M., & Fry, A. C. (2023). Recovery methods in basketball: A systematic review. Sports, 11(11), 230. doi: 10.3390/sports11110230.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ortiz, R. O., Sinclair Elder, A. J., Elder, C. L., & Dawes, J. J. (2019). A systematic review on the effectiveness of active recovery interventions on athletic performance of professional-, collegiate-, and competitive-level adult athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 33(8), 2275–2287. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002589.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Peake, J. M., Roberts, L. A., Figueiredo, V. C., Egner, I., Krog, S., Aas, S. N., Suzuki, K., Markworth, J. F., Coombes, J. S., Cameron-Smith, D., & Raastad, T. (2017). The effects of cold water immersion and active recovery on inflammation and cell stress responses in human skeletal muscle after resistance exercise. Journal of Physiology, 595(3), 695–711. doi: 10.1113/JP272881.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pernigoni, M., Conte, D., Calleja-González, J., Boccia, G., Romagnoli, M., & Ferioli, D. (2022). The application of recovery strategies in basketball: A worldwide survey. Frontiers in Physiology, 13(887507), 1–7. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.887507.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pinto, J., Rocha, P., & Torres, R. (2020). Cold-water immersion has no effect on muscle stiffness after exercise-induced muscle damage. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine: Official Journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, 30(6), 533–538. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000682.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Reezigt, R. R., Slager, G. E. C., Coppieters, M. W., & Scholten-Peeters, G. G. M. (2023). Novice assessors demonstrate good intra-rater agreement and reliability when determining pressure pain thresholds; a cross-sectional study. PeerJ, 11, e14565. doi: 10.7717/peerj.14565.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Reilly, T., & Ekblom, B. (2005). The use of recovery methods post-exercise. Journal of Sports Sciences, 23(6), 619–627. doi: 10.1080/02640410400021302.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Roberts, L. A., Nosaka, K., Coombes, J. S., & Peake, J. M. (2014). Cold water immersion enhances recovery of submaximal muscle function after resistance exercise. American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 307(8), R998–R1008. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00180.2014.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Scanlan, A. T., & Madueno, M. C. (2016). Passive recovery promotes superior performance and reduced physiological stress across different phases of short-distance repeated sprints. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 30(9), 2540–2549. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001339.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Skogstrand, K., Ekelund, C. K., Thorsen, P., Vogel, I., Jacobsson, B., Nørgaard-Pedersen, B., & Hougaard, D. M. (2008). Effects of blood sample handling procedures on measurable inflammatory markers in plasma, serum and dried blood spot samples. Journal of Immunological Methods, 336(1), 78–84. doi: 10.1016/j.jim.2008.04.006.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Trybulski, R., Zebrowska, A., Bichowska-Paweska, Kuzdzat, A., Ryszkiel, I., Silva, R. M., Muracki, J., & Kawczyński, A. (2024). The effects of combined contrast heat cold pressure therapy on post-exercise muscle recovery in MMA fighters: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Human Kinetics, 94, 127–146. doi: 10.5114/jhk/190220.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Vaile, J., Halson, S., Gill, N., & Dawson, B. (2008). Effect of hydrotherapy on the signs and symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 102(4), 447–455. doi: 10.1007/s00421-007-0605-6.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Versey, N. G., Halson, S. L., & Dawson, B. T. (2013). Water immersion recovery for athletes: Effect on exercise performance and practical recommendations. Sports Medicine, 43(11), 1101–1130. doi: 10.1007/s40279-013-0063-8.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Vickers, A. J. (2001). Time course of muscle soreness following different types of exercise. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2, 1–4. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-2-5.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wolska, B., Domagała, Ł., Kisilewicz, A., Hassanlouei, H., Makar, P., Kawczyński, A., & Klich, S. (2023). Multiple cryosauna sessions for post-exercise recovery of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS): A randomized control trial. Frontiers in Physiology, 14, 1–10. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1253140.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Xiao, F., Kabachkova, A. V., Jiao, L., Zhao, H., & Kapilevich, L. V. (2023). Effects of cold water immersion after exercise on fatigue recovery and exercise performance-meta analysis. Frontiers in Physiology, 14, 1–15. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1006512.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Authors

Metrics

Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/bhk-2026-0018 | Journal eISSN: 2080-2234

Journal RSS Feed

Language: English

Page range: 148 - 162

Submitted on: Mar 12, 2025

Accepted on: Apr 17, 2026

Published on: May 6, 2026

Published by: University of Physical Education in Warsaw

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

Keywords:

Sports Training,

Team Sports,

Performance Enhancement,

Physical Restoration

Related subjects:

Medicine,

Basic medical science,

Basic medical science, other,

Clinical medicine,

Public health,

Sports and recreation,

Sports and recreation, other,

Physical education

© 2026 Marcin Janusiak, Francisco T. González-Fernández, César Leão, Małgorzata Smoter, Aleksandra Kisilewicz, Sebastian Klich, Rui Miguel Silva, published by University of Physical Education in Warsaw
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 18 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)