The Effects of Age and Body Fat Content on Post-Downhill Run Recovery Following Whole Body Cryotherapy

Abstract

This study explored the effects of age and body fat content on responses to whole body cryotherapy (WBC) following a downhill running bout. Forty-one male participants (mean ± SD age 42.0 ± 13.7 years, body mass 75.2 ± 10.8 kg) were allocated into WBC (n = 26) and control (CON, n = 15) groups. WBC participants were divided into old (OLD, ≥45 years, n = 10) and young (YNG, <40 years, n = 13), as well as high fat (HFAT, ≥20%, n = 10) and low fat (LFAT ≤ 15%, n = 8) groups. Participants completed a 30 min downhill run (15% gradient) at 60% VO2 max. The WBC group underwent cryotherapy (3 min, −120 °C) 1 h post-run and CON participants passively recovered in a controlled environment (20 °C). Maximal isometric leg muscle torque was assessed pre and 24 h post-run. Blood creatine kinase (CK) and muscle soreness were assessed pre, post, one hour and 24 h post-run. Muscle torque significantly decreased in both groups post-downhill run (WBC: 220.6 ± 61.4 Nm vs. 208.3 ± 67.6 Nm, p = 0.02; CON: 239.7 ± 51.1 Nm vs. 212.1 ± 46.3 Nm, p = 0.00). The mean decrease in WBC was significantly less than in CON (p = 0.04). Soreness and CK increased 24 h post for WBC and CON (p < 0.01) with no difference between groups. Muscle torque significantly decreased in OLD participants (p = 0.04) but not in YNG (p = 0.55). There were no differences between HFAT and LFAT (all p values > 0.05). WBC may attenuate muscle damage and benefit muscle strength recovery following eccentrically biased exercises, particularly for young males.

The Comparative Effect of Different Timings of Whole Body Cryotherapy Treatment With Cold Water Immersion for Post-Exercise Recovery

“…This study adopted a randomized independent groups design, using a similar protocol as a previous study in this line of work (Haq et al, 2021 ). There were three laboratory trials (ambient temperature 20 ± 0.5°C) and all participants were asked to refrain from alcohol and strenuous exercise for 24 and 48 h, respectively, prior to each trial.…”

“…For the first trial, participants' anthropometric characteristics were assessed. Skinfold calipers (Harpenden Indicators, UK) were used to estimate body fat percentage using the four site method described previously (Haq et al, 2021 ). Participants were familiarized to a muscle torque assessment via three contractions using a Biodex dynamometer: two submaximal isometric contractions (60 and 80% effort), followed by a singular maximal contraction.…”

“…Participants were familiarized to a muscle torque assessment via three contractions using a Biodex dynamometer: two submaximal isometric contractions (60 and 80% effort), followed by a singular maximal contraction. Maximal aerobic capacity (VO 2 max) was assessed using an incremental treadmill protocol, as described previously (Haq et al, 2021 ). Absolute and relative VO 2 max values were reported and 60% of the absolute VO 2 max was calculated.…”

“…The extreme cold of Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC) has become an emerging tool for sport and exercise recovery (Lombardi et al, 2017 ), demonstrating reductions in pain (Hausswirth et al, 2011 ), inflammation (Pournot et al, 2011 ), improved muscle strength recovery (Haq et al, 2021 ) and benefits to range of motion (De Nardi et al, 2015 ). Despite such effects, there is currently limited research which has identified conclusively the optimum WBC protocol for such purposes.…”

“…This study aims to build on findings from previous work (Haq et al, 2021 ) by exploring the comparative effects of two different timings of WBC on EIMD following a downhill run, as well as comparing WBC with CWI. Downhill running is a commonly utilized eccentric exercise protocol for inducing muscle damage that remains under-investigated in the field of cryotherapy.…”