Inspiratory Muscle Training Plus Cold Water Immersion After Muscle-Damaging Exercise

The purpose of this study is to examine, using a placebo-controlled design, the additional effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) added to cold water immersion (CWI) on recovery and muscle performance following exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), and to determine whether this effect varies depending on the timing of the intervention. The study will include 12 healthy male athletes aged 18-22 who have been licensed for at least 4 years and are actively involved in sports. Each participant will undergo four different interventions in a randomized order determined by the Williams balanced sequence following muscle damage induced by eccentric exercise on an isokinetic dynamometer: CWI + placebo IMT immediately after exercise, IMT + CWI immediately after exercise, IMT + CWI 24 hours after exercise, and a control condition with no recovery intervention. The sessions will be conducted in weekly cycles with 7-day intervals, alternating between the dominant and non-dominant legs; thus, there will be a 14-day interval between two loading sessions for the same leg. All measurements will be taken during the week. Muscle strength will be assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer; markers of muscle damage (CK, myoglobin, LDH) will be measured via blood samples; and muscle pain will be evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before each exercise session and 48 hours after exercise.

Inclusion Criteria: * Be a male between the ages of 18 and 22 * Hold a sports license valid for at least 4 years * Be actively involved in sports * Not smoke or use similar substances Exclusion Criteria: * Having sustained a sports injury within the past 2 years * Having engaged in exercise that could cause muscle damage within the past 15 days * Cold intolerance, cold urticaria, or Raynaud's phenomenon * Known cardiovascular, respiratory, or musculoskeletal disease * Use of anti-inflammatory medication or dietary supplements that could affect recovery during the study period