The use of a cold pack during resistance exercises is effective for reducing intramuscular oxygenation and increasing myoelectric activity.
Masahiro Goto, Yoshihiro Yamashina, Akihiro Takada and 3 others
PMID 35400842WHAT IT FOUND
Using a cold pack on the triceps during resistance exercises lowered intramuscular oxygenation and increased muscle electrical activity compared to exercising without a pack.
This acute physiological change may support muscle growth, but long-term effects were not measured.
Key findings
01The percentage baseline oxy-Hb/Mb level during resistance exercise was significantly lower in cold pack exercise than in regular exercise.
02The percentage MVC-RMS of EMG was significantly higher in cold pack exercise than in regular exercise.
03The half-recovery time of muscle oxygenation in intervals between sets was significantly longer in the cold pack exercise than in the regular exercise.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study measured only acute physiological responses, not long-term outcomes like muscle size or strength. The sample consisted exclusively of young, resistance-trained males, limiting generalizability to other populations. The study did not include a placebo or sham cold pack condition, so blinding was not possible.
Declared interests
The study was supported by a JSPS KAKENHI grant. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that the observed acute changes in oxygenation and electrical activity guarantee increased muscle growth or strength. The study did not measure long-term hypertrophy or performance outcomes, so these physiological markers are not proven to translate into clinical benefits.