Residual effects of short-term whole-body cold-water immersion on the cytokine profile, white blood cell count, and blood markers of stress

Impaired autophagy following ex vivo cooling of simulated hypothermic temperatures in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from young and older adults

Hypothermia is a critical consequence of extreme cold exposure that increases the risk of cold-related injury and death in humans. While the initiation of cytoprotective mechanisms including the process of autophagy and the heat shock response (HSR) is crucial to cellular survival during periods of stress, age-related decrements in these systems may underlie cold-induced cellular vulnerability in older adults. Moreover, whether potential sex-related differences in autophagic regulation influence the human cold stress response remain unknown. We evaluated the effect of age and sex on mechanisms of cytoprotection (autophagy and the HSR) and cellular stress (apoptotic signaling and the acute inflammatory response) during ex vivo hypothermic cooling. Venous blood samples from 20 healthy young (10 females; mean [SD]: 22 [2] years) and 20 healthy older (10 females; 66 [5] years) adults were either isolated immediately (baseline) for peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or exposed to water bath temperatures maintained at 37, 35, 33, 31, or 4 °C for 90 min before PBMC isolation. Proteins associated with autophagy, apoptosis, the HSR, and inflammation were analyzed via Western blotting. Indicators of autophagic initiation and signaling (LC3, ULK1, and beclin-2) and the HSR (HSP90 and HSP70) increased when exposed to hypothermic temperatures in young and older adults (all p ≤ 0.007). Sex-related differences were only observed with autophagic initiation (ULK1; p = 0.015). However, despite increases in autophagic initiators ULK1 and beclin-2 (all p < 0.001), this was paralleled by autophagic dysfunction (increased p62) in all groups (all p < 0.001). Further, apoptotic (cleaved-caspase-3) and inflammatory (IL-6 and TNF-α) signaling increased in all groups (all p < 0.001). We demonstrated that exposure to hypothermic conditions is associated with autophagic dysfunction, irrespective of age or sex, although there may exist innate sex-related differences in cytoprotection in response to cold exposure as evidenced through altered autophagic initiation.

The effects of cold exposure (cold water immersion, whole- and partial- body cryostimulation) on cardiovascular and cardiac autonomic control responses in healthy individuals: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression

BACKGROUND

Cryostimulation and cold-water immersion (CWI) have recently gained widespread attention due to their association with changes in cardiovascular and cardiac autonomic control responses. Therefore, the aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify the global impact of such cold exposures on cardiovascular and cardiac autonomic activity.

METHODS

Three databases (PubMed, Embase, Web-of-Science) were used. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were conducted on healthy participants using cryostimulation and/or CWI. The outcomes included measurements of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV) indices: RR interval (RR), Root mean square of successive RR interval differences (RMSSD), low frequency band (LF), high frequency band (HF), and LF/HF ratio.

RESULTS

Among the 27 articles included in our systematic literature review, only 24 were incorporated into the meta-analysis. Our results reveal a significant increase in HRV indices: RMSSD (Standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.61, p < 0.001), RR (SMD = 0.77, p < 0.001), and HF (SMD = 0.46, p < 0.001), as well as significantly reduced LF (SMD = -0.41, p < 0.001) and LF/HF ratio (SMD = -0.25, p < 0.01), which persisted up to 15 min following cold exposure. Significantly decreased heart rate (SMD = -0.16, p < 0.05), accompanied by slightly increased mean BP (SMD = 0.28, p < 0.001), was also observed. These results seem to depend on individual characteristics and the cooling techniques.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis suggests that cryostimulation and/or CWI exposure enhance parasympathetic nervous activity. There is scarce scientific literature regarding the effect of individual characteristics on cold-induced physiological responses.

Effects of apparent temperature on daily outpatient and inpatient visits for cause-specific respiratory diseases in Ganzhou, China: a time series study

BACKGROUND

Non-optimum temperatures are associated with increased risk of respiratory diseases, but the effects of apparent temperature (AT) on respiratory diseases remain to be investigated.

METHODS

Using daily data from 2016 to 2020 in Ganzhou, a large city in southern China, we analyzed the impact of AT on outpatient and inpatient visits for respiratory diseases. We considered total respiratory diseases and five subtypes (influenza and pneumonia, upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]). Our analysis employed a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) combined with a generalized additive model (GAM).

RESULTS

We recorded 94,952 outpatients and 72,410 inpatients for respiratory diseases. We found AT significantly non-linearly associated with daily outpatient and inpatient visits for total respiratory diseases, influenza and pneumonia, and URTI, primarily during comfortable AT levels, while it was exclusively related with daily inpatient visits for LRTI and COPD. Moderate heat (32.1 °C, the 75.0th centile) was observed with a significant effect on both daily outpatient and inpatient visits for total respiratory diseases at a relative risk of 1.561 (1.161, 2.098) and 1.276 (1.027, 1.585), respectively (both P < 0.05), while the results of inpatients became insignificant with the adjustment for CO and O3. The attributable fractions in outpatients and inpatients were as follows: total respiratory diseases (24.43% and 18.69%), influenza and pneumonia (31.54% and 17.33%), URTI (23.03% and 32.91%), LRTI (37.49% and 30.00%), asthma (9.83% and 3.39%), and COPD (30.67% and 10.65%). Stratified analyses showed that children ≤5 years old were more susceptible to moderate heat than older participants.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, our results indicated moderate heat increase the risk of daily outpatient and inpatient visits for respiratory diseases, especially among children under the age of 5.

Short-duration cold exposure decreases fasting-induced glucose intolerance but has no effect on resting energy expenditure

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether brief cold exposure can reverse fasting-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, and improve resting energy expenditure (REE). Twelve young non-obese women were randomly assigned to undergo the following conditions: 2 days of fasting with two 10-min whole-body cold-water immersions on separate days (FAST-COLD), 2 days of fasting without cold-water immersions (FAST), 2 days of usual diet with two 10-min whole-body cold-water immersions on separate days (COLD), or 2 days of usual diet without cold-water immersions (CON) in a randomised crossover fashion. Changes in REE and substrate utilisation, and glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity from the oral glucose tolerance test were examined. The results showed that FAST-COLD and FAST trials increased (P < 0.05) REE and decreased (P < 0.05) respiratory quotient, but these variables did not differ significantly between the FAST-COLD and FAST trials. The glucose and insulin area under the curves (AUCs) were higher (P < 0.05) in the FAST-COLD and FAST trials than in the CON and COLD trials, and these AUCs were lower (P < 0.05) in the FAST-COLD than in the FAST trial. Matsuda index was lower in the FAST trial than in the CON trial (P < 0.05), and tended to be greater after the FAST-COLD trial than after the FAST trial (P = 0.060). In conclusion, cold exposure had no effect on REE but decreased fasting-induced glucose intolerance which was accompanied by a maintained insulin sensitivity.

Age-Related Difference in Cognitive Performance under Severe Whole-Body Hyperthermia Parallels Cortisol and Physical Strain Responses

Background and Objectives: To date, understanding age-related changes in cognitive processes during heat exposure still needs to be better-understood. Thus, the main aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of whole-body hyperthermia (WBH), i.e., a ≈ 2.5 °C increase in rectal temperature (Tre) from overnight-fast baseline value, on cognitive functioning in old and young men and to explore factors, such as stress and thermophysiological strain, that could influence such changes. Materials and Methods: Ten young (19-21 years of age) and nine old (61-80 years of age) healthy men underwent an experimental trial with passive lower-body heating in hot water immersion (HWI) at 43 °C (HWI-43 °C) until Tre reached 39 °C in old adults and 39.5 °C in young adults. Cognitive performance and cortisol concentration were assessed before and after HWI, and the physiological strain index (PSI) was assessed during HWI-43 °C. Results: PSI was lower and cortisol concentration was greater after HWI-43 °C in the old group compared with the young group (p < 0.05). Surprisingly, hyperthermia improved cognitive flexibility only in old adults, whereas short-term and visual recognition memories were maintained in both age groups. Conclusions: A ≈ 2.5 °C increase in rectal temperature can improve executive function in old adults, and this increase parallels the increased cortisol concentration and the lower thermophysiological strain under severe WBH conditions.

Effects of 3-week repeated cold water immersion on leukocyte counts and cardiovascular factors: an exploratory study

Aim: This exploratory study aimed to investigate the effects of a 3-week repeated cold water immersion (CWI) intervention on leukocyte counts and cardiovascular factors (mean arterial pressure [MAP], heart rate [HR]) in healthy men. Methods: A total of n = 12, non-cold-adapted men (age: 25.2 ± 4.0 years; height: 177.8 ± 5.6 cm; weight: 73.8 ± 6.5 kg) were randomly allocated to the CWI or control (CON) group. The CWI group underwent a 3-week repeated CWI intervention (12min at 7°C, 4x/week). The CON group did not receive any cold exposure or therapy. Total leukocyte numbers and proportions (neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, monocytes, lymphocytes) and cardiovascular factors (MAP, HR) were assessed at baseline and after the 3-week intervention period. Results: Total leukocyte count decreased in CWI (p = 0.027, 95% CI -2.35 to -0.20 × 103/µL) and CON (p = 0.043, 95% CI -2.75 to -0.50 × 103/µL). CWI showed a decrease in neutrophil number (p = 0.028, 95% CI -1.55 to -0.25 × 103/µL) and proportion (p = 0.046, 95% CI -6.42 to 0.56%). In contrast, CON showed no significant change (p > 0.05). No differences were found for other leukocyte subtypes in CWI or CON (all p > 0.05). MAP (p = 0.028, 95% CI -17 to -8 mmHg) and HR (p = 0.027, 95% CI -7 to -2 bpm) were reduced in CWI, whereas CON showed no change (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest no relevant effects of 3-week repeated CWI on leukocyte counts in healthy men. Due to methodological limitations, the effects on the investigated cardiovascular factors remain unclear. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to examine the effects on immune function and cardiovascular health.

Ambient temperature exposure causes lung function impairment: The evidence from Controlled Temperature Study in Healthy Subjects (CTSHS)

BACKGROUND

The effect of non-optimal ambient temperatures (low and high temperatures) on lung function and the underlying mechanisms remains unclear.

METHODS

Forty-three (20 males, 23 females) healthy non-obese volunteers with an average of 23.9 years participated in the controlled temperature study. All volunteers underwent three temperature exposures in a sequence (moderate [18 °C], low [6 °C], and high [30 °C] temperatures) lasting 12 h with air pollutants controlled. lung function parameters (forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV₁], and peak expiratory flow [PEF]) were determined in each exposure. Blood and urine samples were collected after each exposure and assayed for inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)] and oxidative damage markers [protein carbonylation (PCO), 4-hydroxy-2-nominal-mercapturic acid (HNE-MA), 8-iso-prostaglandin-F_2α (8-isoPGF_2α), and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)]. Mixed-effects models were constructed to assess the changes of the above indexes under low or high temperatures relative to moderate temperature, and then the repeated measures correlation analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Compared with moderate temperature, a 2.20% and 2.59% net decrease in FVC, FEV₁, and a 5.68% net increase for PEF were observed under low-temperature exposure, while a 1.59% net decrease in FVC and a 7.29% net increase in PEF under high-temperature exposure were found (all P < 0.05). In addition, low temperature elevated inflammatory markers (PCT, PLR, and NLR) and oxidative damage markers (8-isoPGF_2α, 8-OHdG), and high temperature elevated HNE-MA. Repeated measures correlation analyses revealed that PCT (r = -0.33) and NLR (r = -0.31) were negatively correlated with FVC and HNE-MA (r = -0.35) and 8-OHdG (r = -0.31) were negatively correlated with the FEV₁ under low-temperature exposure (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Non-optimal ambient temperatures exposure alters lung function, inflammation, and oxidative damage. Inflammation and oxidative damage might be involved in low temperature-related lung function reduction.

Short-Term Head-Out Whole-Body Cold-Water Immersion Facilitates Positive Affect and Increases Interaction between Large-Scale Brain Networks

An emerging body of evidence indicates that short-term immersion in cold water facilitates positive affect and reduces negative affect. However, the neural mechanisms underlying these effects remain largely unknown. For the first time, we employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify topological clusters of networks coupled with behavioural changes in positive and negative affect after a 5 min cold-water immersion. Perceived changes in positive affect were associated with feeling more active, alert, attentive, proud, and inspired, whilst changes in negative affect reflected reductions in distress and nervousness. The increase in positive affect was supported by a unique component of interacting networks, including the medial prefrontal node of the default mode network, a posterior parietal node of the frontoparietal network, and anterior cingulate and rostral prefrontal parts of the salience network and visual lateral network. This component emerged as a result of a focal effect confined to few connections. Changes in negative affect were associated with a distributed component of interacting networks at a reduced threshold. Affective changes after cold-water immersion occurred independently, supporting the bivalence model of affective processing. Interactions between large-scale networks linked to positive affect indicated the integrative effects of cold-water immersion on brain functioning.

Moderate muscle cooling induced by single and intermittent/prolonged cold-water immersions differently affects muscle contractile function in young males

Background: We investigated the impact of moderate muscle cooling induced by single and intermittent/prolonged cold-water immersions (CWI) on muscle force and contractility in unfatigued state and during the development of fatigue resulting from electrically induced contractions. Methods: Twelve young males participated in this study consisting of two phases [single phase (SP) followed by intermittent/prolonged phase (IPP)], with both phases including two conditions (i.e., four trials in total) performed randomly: control passive sitting (CON) and cold-water immersions (10°C). SP-CWI included one 45 min-bath (from 15 to 60 min). IPP-CWI included three baths (45 min-bath from 15 to 60 min, and 15 min-baths from 165 to 180 min and from 255 to 270 min), with participants sitting at room temperature the rest of the time until 300 min. Blood pressure and intramuscular (Tmu) temperature were assessed, and neuromuscular testing was performed at baseline and 60 min after baseline during SP, and at baseline, 60, 90, 150 and 300 min after baseline during IPP. A fatiguing protocol (100 electrical stimulations) was performed after the last neuromuscular testing of each trial. Results: In unfatigued state, SP-CWI and IPP-CWI reduced electrically induced torque at 100 Hz (P100) but not at 20 Hz (P20), and increased P20/P100 ratio. The changes from baseline for P100 and P20/P100 ratio were lower in IPP-CWI than SP-CWI. Both cold-water immersion conditions slowed down muscle contraction and relaxation, and reduced maximal isokinetic contraction torque, but the changes from baseline were lower after IPP-CWI than SP-CWI. cold-water immersions did not impair maximal voluntary isometric contraction. During the fatiguing protocol, torque fatigue index and the changes in muscle contractile properties were larger after IPP-CWI than SP-CWI, but were in the same range as after CON conditions. The differences of muscle contractile function between SP-CWI and IPP-CWI were accompanied by a lower reduction of superficial Tmu and a smaller increase in systolic blood pressure after IPP-CWI than SP-CWI. Conclusion: IPP-CWI induces a less pronounced fast-to-slow contractile transition compared to SP-CWI, and this may result from the reduced vasoconstriction response and enhanced blood perfusion of the superficial muscle vessels, which could ultimately limit the reduction of superficial Tmu.

The Influence of Ambient Temperature Changes on the Indicators of Inflammation and Oxidative Damage in Blood after Submaximal Exercise

Physical activity has a positive effect on human health and well-being, but intense exercise can cause adverse changes in the organism, leading to the development of oxidative stress and inflammation. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of short-term cold water immersion (CWI) and a sauna bath as methods of postexercise regeneration on the indicators of inflammation and oxidative damage in the blood of healthy recreational athletes. Forty-five male volunteers divided into two groups: 'winter swimmers' who regularly use winter baths (n = 22, average age 43.2 ± 5.9 years) and 'novices' who had not used winter baths regularly before (n = 23, mean age 25 ± 4.8 years) participated in the study. The research was divided into two experiments, differing in the method of postexercise regeneration used, CWI (Experiment I) and a sauna bath (Experiment II). During Experiment I, the volunteers were subjected to a 30-min aerobic exercise, combined with a 20-min rest at room temperature (RT-REST) or a 20-min rest at room temperature with an initial 3-min 8 °C water bath (CWI-REST). During the Experiment II, the volunteers were subjected to the same aerobic exercise, followed by a RT-REST or a sauna bath (SAUNA-REST). The blood samples were taken before physical exercise (control), immediately after exercise and 20 min after completion of regeneration. The concentrations of selected indicators of inflammation, including interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), interleukin 8 (IL-8), interleukin 10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), as well as the activity of indicators of oxidative damage: α1-antitrypsin (AAT) and lysosomal enzymes, including arylsulfatase A (ASA), acid phosphatase (AcP) and cathepsin D (CTS D), were determined. CWI seems to be a more effective post-exercise regeneration method to reduce the inflammatory response compared to a sauna bath. A single sauna bath is associated with the risk of proteolytic tissue damage, but disturbances of cellular homeostasis are less pronounced in people who regularly use cold water baths than in those who are not adapted to thermal stress.

Kinetics of lipid indicators in response to short- and long-duration whole-body, cold-water immersion

Cold exposure-induced secretion of stress hormones activates cold-defense responses and mobilizes substrates for increased energy demands to fuel thermogenesis. However, it is unclear whether acute cold exposure-induced stress hormone response kinetics affect circulating lipid parameter kinetics. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the 2-day kinetics of stress hormones (i.e., cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) and the lipid profile (i.e., total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, and triglycerides) in response to whole-body long- (intermittent 170 min; 170-CWI) or short-duration (10 min; 10-CWI) cold-water immersion (CWI; 14 °C water) in 17 healthy, young, adult men. Both CWI trials induced a marked release of the stress hormones, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, with higher concentrations detected after 170-CWI (p < 0.05) and a disrupted diurnal peak of cortisol lasting for a few hours. 170-CWI increased triglyceride levels from immediately after until 2 h after CWI, thereafter the concentration decreased at 4 h, 6 h, 1 day and 2 days after CWI (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the HDL-cholesterol level increased immediately after and at 6 h after 170-CWI (p < 0.05), while TC and LDL-cholesterol levels were not altered within 2 days. Lipid parameters were not affected within the 2 days after 10-CWI. Although both CWIs decreased deep body temperature and increased stress hormone levels for a few hours, only long-duration CWI induced changes in the circulating lipid profile within 2 days after CWI. This should be considered when discussing therapeutic protocols to improve circulating lipid profiles and ameliorate diseases associated with such profiles.

Functional Impact of Post-exercise Cooling and Heating on Recovery and Training Adaptations: Application to Resistance, Endurance, and Sprint Exercise

The application of post-exercise cooling (e.g., cold water immersion) and post-exercise heating has become a popular intervention which is assumed to increase functional recovery and may improve chronic training adaptations. However, the effectiveness of such post-exercise temperature manipulations remains uncertain. The aim of this comprehensive review was to analyze the effects of post-exercise cooling and post-exercise heating on neuromuscular function (maximal strength and power), fatigue resistance, exercise performance, and training adaptations. We focused on three exercise types (resistance, endurance and sprint exercises) and included studies investigating (1) the early recovery phase, (2) the late recovery phase, and (3) repeated application of the treatment. We identified that the primary benefit of cooling was in the early recovery phase (< 1 h post-exercise) in improving fatigue resistance in hot ambient conditions following endurance exercise and possibly enhancing the recovery of maximal strength following resistance exercise. The primary negative impact of cooling was with chronic exposure which impaired strength adaptations and decreased fatigue resistance following resistance training intervention (12 weeks and 4–12 weeks, respectively). In the early recovery phase, cooling could also impair sprint performance following sprint exercise and could possibly reduce neuromuscular function immediately after endurance exercise. Generally, no benefits of acute cooling were observed during the 24–72-h recovery period following resistance and endurance exercises, while it could have some benefits on the recovery of neuromuscular function during the 24–48-h recovery period following sprint exercise. Most studies indicated that chronic cooling does not affect endurance training adaptations following 4–6 week training intervention. We identified limited data employing heating as a recovery intervention, but some indications suggest promise in its application to endurance and sprint exercise.

Two-day fasting affects kynurenine pathway with additional modulation of short-term whole-body cooling: a quasi-randomised crossover trial

Metabolites of the kynurenine (KYN) pathway of tryptophan (TRP) degradation have attracted interest as potential pathophysiological mediators and future diagnostic biomarkers. A greater knowledge of the pathological implications of the metabolites is associated with a need for a better understanding of how the normal behaviour and physiological activities impact their concentrations. This study aimed to investigate whether fasting (FAST) and whole-body cold-water immersion (CWI) affect KYN pathway metabolites. Thirteen young women were randomly assigned to receive the 2-d FAST with two 10-min CWI on separate days (FAST-CWI), 2-d FAST without CWI (FAST-CON), 2-d two CWI on separate days without FAST (CON-CWI) or the 2-d usual diet without CWI (CON-CON) in a randomised crossover fashion. Changes in plasma concentrations of TRP, kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxy-kynurenine (3-HK), picolinic acid (PIC), quinolinic acid (QUIN) and nicotinamide (NAA) were determined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer. FAST-CWI and FAST-CON lowered TRP concentration (P < 0·05, ηp2 = 0·24), and increased concentrations of KYNA, 3-HK and PIC (P < 0·05, ηp2 = 0·21-0·71) with no additional effects of CWI. The ratio of PIC/QUIN increased after FAST-CWI and FAST-CON trials (P < 0·05) but with a blunted effect in the FAST-CWI trial (P < 0·05) compared with the FAST-CON trials (ηp2 = 0·67). Concentrations of QUIN and NAA were unaltered. This study demonstrated that fasting for 2 d considerably impacts the concentration of several metabolites in the KYN pathway. This should be considered when discussing the potential of KYN pathway metabolites as biomarkers.

Exposure to acute noxious heat evokes a cardiorespiratory shock response in humans

Background: Noxious acute cold stimuli cause cold shock via the sympathetic nervous system. However, no studies have investigated respiratory "heat shock" in response to noxious acute heat stimuli (≥ 42 °C).Methods: In the present study, we examined whether short-duration whole-body immersion (for 5 min) in noxious hot water (45 °C) is a sufficient stimulus to induce a respiratory acute shock response.Results and conclusion: Our results indicate that short-duration whole-body immersion in noxious 45 °C water produces a significantly greater body temperature, heart rate, and perceptual and respiratory strain than immersion in innocuous warm 37 °C water (p < .05). The initial first minute of hot water immersion (HWI) at 45 °C (vs. immersion at 37 °C) caused a cardiorespiratory shock response, which manifested as acute hyperventilation, and increased ventilatory tidal volume, respiratory exchange ratio, and heart rate (p < .05). Adjustment to this initial respiratory heat shock response within the first minute of immersion was observed as compared with remaining HWI time (1-5 min). Intriguingly, the time-course kinetics of breathing frequency, oxygen uptake, and carbon dioxide washout did not differ between whole-body immersion at 37 °C and immersion at 45 °C, but were higher than in control thermoneutral conditions of an empty bath (p < .05). This may be because of events initiated not only by the water temperature but also by the change in the hydrostatic pressure acting upon the body when immersed in the water bath.

The Effect of Submaximal Exercise Followed by Short-Term Cold-Water Immersion on the Inflammatory State in Healthy Recreational Athletes: A Cross-Over Study

Cold-water immersion (CWI) after exercise is a method used by sportsmen to improve recovery. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a 3 min CWI on the inflammatory state by measuring levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and activities of α1-antitrypsin (AAT) and lysosomal enzymes, including arylsulfatase (ASA), acid phosphatase (AcP), and cathepsin D (CTS D), in the blood of healthy recreational athletes. Male volunteers (n = 22, age 25 ± 4.8 yr) performed a 30 min submaximal aerobic exercise, followed by a 20 min rest at room temperature (RT-REST) or a 20 min rest at room temperature with an initial 3 min 8 °C water bath (CWI-REST). Blood samples were taken at baseline, immediately after exercise, and after 20 min of recovery. The IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α levels and the AAT activity increased significantly immediately after exercise. The IL-6 level was significantly higher after CWI-REST than after RT-REST. No changes in the activities of the lysosomal enzymes were observed. The effect of a 3 min CWI on the level of inflammatory markers during post-exercise recovery was limited. Thus, it might be considered as a widely available method of regeneration for recreational athletes.