Recovery after exercise is a crucial key in preventing muscle injuries and in speeding up the processes to return to homeostasis level. There are several ways of developing a recovery strategy with the use of different kinds of traditional and up-to-date techniques. The use of cold has traditionally been used after physical exercise for recovery purposes. In recent years, the use of whole-body cryotherapy/cryostimulation (WBC; an extreme cold stimulation lasting 1–4 min and given in a cold room at a temperature comprised from −60 to −195°C) has been tremendously increased for such purposes. However, there are controversies about the benefits that the use of this technique may provide. Therefore, the main objectives of this paper are to describe what is whole body cryotherapy/cryostimulation, review and debate the benefits that its use may provide, present practical considerations and applications, and emphasize the need of customization depending on the context, the purpose, and the subject's characteristics. This review is written by international experts from the working group on WBC from the International Institute of Refrigeration.

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Motocross (Mx) is the off‐road mechanical sport most commonly practiced around the world. Riders practice training and competitions on motorcycles. It requires some specific physical and cognitive abilities. Mx racing is composed of successive heats. Whole‐body cryotherapy (WBC) appears to be an interesting way to recover faster between the successive heats which composes each race. The aim of this study is to determine whether WBC can be used between Mx heats to accelerate rider's muscular recovery. Eighteen riders performed a series of physical tests (isometric, concentric, and maximal strength, reaction time, and recovery perception); try to mimic Mx competition using a 25 minutes simulated Mx heat followed by a recovery condition (CONT or WBC); and repeated physical tests. WBC had better recovery in isometric strength for up/low limbs. CONT had better recovery in explosive strength for low limb. No difference in maximal strength or reaction time between the before exercise, the after exercise, and after recovery. The WBC group had a better recovery perception after recovery than the CONT group. WBC exposure seems to accelerate isometric muscle recovery after a simulated motocross exercise.