Figure 1. Experimental design employed in the present study.

Subjects rested for 30 min (REST) and then performed an exercise training session (EXE) composed of approximately 10 min of a resistance eccentric exercise bout (EC) and a 90 min submaximal aerobic exercise bout (AER) (two 45 min at 70% VO₂max, interspersed by a 10 min passive rest, INT). The exercise training session was followed by four recovery strategies for 15 min (WI) in a randomized, crossover design: no immersion (CTRL), cold water immersion (CWI), temperate water immersion (TWI) and hot water immersion (HWI). After that, subjects recovered at room temperature for another 210 min (3 h30 min), divided in post-water immersion (POST-WI) and post-recovery (POST-REC). Heart rate variability indices were measured in the last 5 min of REST, WI, POST-WI and POST-REC.