Palmar cooling mitigates exercise-induced immune suppression after high-intensity training: A randomized trial
Year: 2025
Type: preprint
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: ABSTRACT Objectives We investigated whether palmar cooling alters inflammatory responses following a single session of high-intensity eccentric exercise. We hypothesized that palmar cooling during rest intervals would attenuate maladaptive inflammatory responses while preserving beneficial immune adaptations necessary for muscle repair and recovery. Methods In this randomized interventional study, 20 healthy adults were matched by sex and one-repetition maximum (1RM) for bicep curls. Participants performed 10 sets at 70% 1RM, receiving either palmar cooling at 14ºC or a thermoneutral control at 30ºC during 3-minute inter-set rest periods. Whole blood was collected at baseline, immediately post-exercise, and on post-exercise days 1, 2, and 4 for comprehensive immune profiling with mass cytometry. Blood lactate and pain scores were also recorded. Results Exercise induced broad immunosuppression that was significantly attenuated in the palmar cooling group by 2 days post-exercise (AUC=0.79, p =0.03). The cooled group had decreased immunosuppressive activity and increased inflammatory innate immune mechanisms in the cooled group. Palmar cooling also significantly reduced lactate levels compared to controls ( p =0.024). Conclusion Palmar cooling at 14ºC during rest intervals effectively modulated the immune response to high-intensity exercise and reduced lactate accumulation. These findings suggest palmar cooling may serve as a promising intervention to mitigate exercise-induced immunosuppression and support recovery. Trial identifier NCT07215338 (retrospectively registered). Summary Box What is already known on this topic High intensity eccentric exercise contributes to physiological heat stress which induces significant immune alterations that can lead to a transient period of immunosuppression and increased incidence of respiratory tract infections . What this study adds Palmar cooling resulted in cell-type-specific alterations in innate and adaptive immune cell signaling activity, particularly decreasing immunosuppressive cell responses while enhancing inflammatory innate immune mechanisms implicated in pathogen defense . How this study might affect research, practice or policy Palmar cooling may serve as an effective intervention for managing exercise-induced immunosuppression and supporting recovery in athletes. Integration of palmar cooling techniques into athletic training regimens and rehabilitation protocols can ultimately enhance exercise performance and reduce the adverse effects associated with high-intensity exercise .
Source: medRxiv
Authors: Amy S. Tsai, Vinh Cao, Romain Lagarde, Sasha Anronikov, Colin Liu, Kotaro Miyazaki, Maximilian Sabayev, Sam Moghaddam, Dorien Feyaerts, Jakob Einhaus, Dyani Gaudilliere, Ed Ganio, Charles Darracott, Maigane Diop, Amelie Cambriel, H Craig Heller, Brice Gaudilliere
Institutions: Stanford Medicine, Stanford University
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4416013025