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Allan, Robert and Mawhinney, Christopher and Sinclair, Jonathan and Dillon, Stephanie and Dickson, Joshua and Knill-Jones, Joseph and Wood, Alexander and Hesketh, Stuart The influence of acute and chronic cold-water immersion upon local and systemic markers of bone health. [DataSet] (Unpublished)
Description
Abstract
Background: Cold-water immersion (CWI) is widely used in pain management due to its analgesic properties. However, concerns remain that repeated cold exposure may adversely affect skeletal health; with studies of cold-dwelling humans showing low cortical thickness and bone mineral density as well as accelerated age-related bone loss. Despite this, human data examining the influence of CWI on bone health and turnover are limited. Methods: Seventeen recreationally active healthy males (23±4 years) completed a within-subject investigation examining acute and chronic effects of CWI (10 min at 10°C). Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) assessed local indices of bone health whilst systemic markers included serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX1), procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Measurements were obtained Pre-immersion, +1h and +3h following a single (acute) CWI session, then after 2 and 4 weeks of repeated CWI (3 sessions.week-1). Data were analysed using repeated measures and mixed effects models. Results: Post-immersion increases in QUS indices were evident after 4 weeks; likely reflecting temperature-dependent measurement effects rather than structural skeletal adaptations. Baseline QUS measures were unchanged after 4 weeks. A single CWI session did not alter systemic endocrine markers. Chronic CWI significantly increased P1NP at Week 2, remaining elevated at Week 4. Whilst formation markers increased, an exploratory Net Bone Balance Index demonstrated a relative shift towards formation marker signalling at Week 4 (+1 h). Conclusions: Chronic CWI (3 times.week-1 for 4 weeks) was associated with increased P1NP concentrations and an exploratory shift towards formation-marker signalling. Importantly, we found no evidence of an adverse effect of acute and chronic CWI on the measured indices, similar data warrants further investigation in clinical populations.
| Research / Data Type: | Dataset |
|---|---|
| DOI: | 10.17030/uclan.data.00000727 |
| Research Centres: | Applied Sport, Physical Activity and Performance |
| Depositing User: | Robert Allan |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Sep 2026 13:27 |
| Revision: | 14 |
| URI: | https://data.lancashire.ac.uk/id/eprint/727 |
