Muscle cooling: too much of a good thing?

It is well documented that strenuous exercise elicits stress on the body, which may lead to physiological impairments and associated reductions in muscle function and fatigue, in the hours and days post-exercise. Whilst fatigue is specific to the mode, intensity and duration of exercise, a failure in any of the related neural, metabolic or mechanical processes may hinder subsequent athletic performance, particularly when insufficient restoration periods are provided. This has led to significant interest in recovery strategies to ameliorate post-exercise fatigue and to optimize an athlete’s physical capabilities.