The Specific Judo Training Program Combined With the Whole Body Cryostimulation Induced an Increase of Serum Concentrations of Growth Factors and Changes in Amino Acid Profile in Professional Judokas

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a specific training program, supported by 10 sessions of whole body cryostimulation, on growth factors concentrations, amino acids profile and motor abilities in professional judokas. Ultimately, twelve athletes took part in the study. They were randomly assigned to the cryostimulation group (CRY, n = 6) or the control group (CON, n = 6). During 2 weeks of the judo training program, the CRY group performed 10 cryo-sessions (3-min, at a temperature of −110°C) and the CON group rested passively. Anthropometric measurements, a strength test, the Special Judo Efficiency Test (SJET) were assessed 2 days before and after the judo training program. Blood samples were collected at rest, 1 h after the first and the second SJET and 1 h after the first and the last cryo-session to establish growth factors and amino acid concentrations. Lactate level was measured before, immediately after and 1 h after the first and the second SJET. The applied intervention resulted in a significant increase of resting concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (from 10.23 ± 1.61 to 15.13 ± 2.93 ng⋅ml–1; p = 0.01) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1; from 174.29 ± 49.34 to 300.50 ± 43.80 pg⋅ml–1; p = 0.00) in the CRY group. A different response was registered 1 h directly post SJET in the CRY group (a significant increase of IGF-1, interleukin 15 and irisin: p = 0.01; p = 0.00; p = 0.03). Additionally, the significant drop of proline and leucine concentrations in the CRY group was obtained. Athletes’ performance remained unchanged in both groups. However, subjects perceived positive changes induced by the intervention – not directly after cryostimulation but in response to the specific training workload. The increase of growth factors concentrations and the improvement of amino acid profile (proline and leucine) contributed to maintaining a high level of muscle function.

Irisin, Fibroplast Growth Factor-21, and Follistatin Responses to Endurance Rowing Training Session in Female Rowers

“…It has been argued that for circulating irisin concentration to increase, the acute exercise parameters should induce relatively high blood lactate production in athletes (Kabasakalis et al, 2020). The biological role of irisin as a moderator of energy metabolism in response to acute exercise still remains not fully elucidated (Fatouros, 2018;Sliwicka et al, 2021), although irisin is considered to be a factor regulating muscle adaptation, including stimulation of glucose uptake and lipid metabolism (Arhire et al, 2019;Lee and Jun, 2019;Jaworska et al, 2021). Typically, previous studies have reported increases in irisin concentrations immediately after different acute exercises with the effect being independent of the mode of exercise session (i.e., running or cycling) in healthy men (Daskalopoulou et al, 2014;Huh et al, 2014;Fatouros, 2018;Qiu et al, 2018), and a meta-analysis showed that the mean magnitude of post-exercise increase in irisin concentration across studies is around 15% in non-athletic individuals (Fox et al, 2017).…”

The Use of Post-Exercise Cooling as a Recovery Strategy: Unraveling the Controversies

“…Nevertheless, a very recent study (Jaworska et al, 2021) showed that the use of WBC daily after exercise training in 13 Judokas of the National Judo Team of Poland during a 10day traineeship did not alter muscle performance, sustained muscle function, and slightly improved specific judo abilities. The authors explained the differences with the results shown with the cold bath by the duration between the end of the exercises and the exposures (2 h for the cryo vs. immediately after the cold bath).…”

Cryostimulation for Post-exercise Recovery in Athletes: A Consensus and Position Paper

“…Nevertheless, a very recent study (Jaworska et al, 2021 ) showed that the use of WBC daily after exercise training in 13 Judokas of the National Judo Team of Poland during a 10-day traineeship did not alter muscle performance, sustained muscle function, and slightly improved specific judo abilities. The authors explained the differences with the results shown with the cold bath by the duration between the end of the exercises and the exposures (2 h for the cryo vs. immediately after the cold bath).…”