The present results are in agreement with recent studies that have examined the influence of
cold-water immersion on markers of muscle damage after a simulated 20-min cycling time-trial (Halson et al., 2008) and a 90-min rugby training session (Banfi et al., 2007). For example, there was no apparent difference in markers of muscle damage or inflammation when the effects of cold-water immersion were compared with a passive recovery condition 40 min after a simulated 20-min cycling timetrial (Halson et al., 2008). The present results support these recent studies and suggest that coldwater immersion is not effective for reducing the inflammatory response in the 24-h period after intense exercise.