Whole-body Cryotherapy as a Recovery Technique after Exercise: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

AbStR AC tThis review aims to evaluate the current body of literature investigating the effect of whole body cryotherapy on recovery after exercise. A systematic search was conducted to investigate the effect of whole body cryotherapy (WBC, exposure to temperatures between − 110 to − 190 °C) on markers of recovery after damaging exercise in healthy, physically active subjects. Of the 16 eligible articles extracted, ten induced muscle damage using controlled exercise in a laboratory setting, while six induced damage during sport-specific training. Results indicated that muscle pain was reduced in 80 % of studies following WBC. Two applied studies found recovery of athletic capacity and performance with WBC improved, variables of this nature were also improved in 71 % of studies using controlled exercise. Further benefits of WBC treatment included reduction of systemic inflammation and lower concentrations of markers for muscle cell damage. These results suggest that WBC may improve recovery from muscle damage, with multiple exposures more consistently exhibiting improvements in recovery from pain, loss of muscle function, and markers of inflammation and damage. The diversity in muscle damage protocols, exposure timing with regards to exercise, as well as temperatures, duration and frequencies of exposure, make specific recommendations preliminary at present. 1049This document was downloaded for personal use only. Unauthorized distribution is strictly prohibited.Rose C et al. Whole-body Cryotherapy as a … Int J Sports

Advances in Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) – Part II: Treatment and Prevention

“…2). Generally, most studies investigated the effects on muscle damage, based on the enzyme activity of muscular creatine kinase (CK), systemic inflammatory response via cortisol and cytokines (IL-6) and athletic performance [6]. The idea of using post-exercise CWI in particular after EIMD and cardiovascular strain is based on the assumption that recovery is enhanced by decreasing tissue temperature and blood flow [7 -9].…”

“…To date, whole body cryotherapy (WBC) by air exposure is another used recovery technique, especially in professional sport because of its supposed anti-inflammatory effects under chronic inflammatory conditions [6]. In the beginning WBC was used for patients as e. g. in rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis [2].…”

“…Thus, WBC is suggested to be beneficial for both structural and functional aspects of muscles following EIMD and DOMS [19 -22]. However, there is limited information about the proper application of WBC protocols and only few evidence for its efficacy [6]. Similar to CWI, disagreement remains concerning different WBC modalities, frequencies, temperatures, timing in relation to exercises, etc.…”

Medical rehabilitation in the combination treatment of rheumatic diseases: a review

“…Rose и соавт. [14] оценили результаты применения ОВТ при мышечных болях, связанных с интенсивными тренировками, проведя систематический обзор 16 исследований. В 80% литературных источников было зафиксировано значимое уменьшение мышечной боли без какихлибо серьезных НР.…”

Technique and Technology of Whole-Body Cryotherapy (WBC)

“…Equipment for whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) has been used in clinics around the world for over 40 years [1,2]. Despite this, until today there is no universally accepted concept describing the mechanism for achieving the healthcare effect of this physiotherapeutic procedure, and the physical conditions of safety and effectiveness of cryogenic cooling of the patient's skin surface have not been determined [3][4][5][6]. Temperature of the cooling gas and the duration of its contact with the patient's skin, being the most important technological parameters of WBC, vary over a wide range.…”