The Effect of Whole Body Cryotherapy on Recovery and Performance: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Cold
• Interventions: Other: cold water tub; Device: Kryosauna Space Cabin

• Registration Number: NCT02847663
• Lead Sponsor: University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland

Brief Summary

This study investigates the effects of whole-body cryotherapy vs. cold-water immersion after a muscle damage protocol.

Detailed Description

In this study the effects of a single- or multiple whole body cryotherapy (-135°C for max. 2 minutes) vs. cold water immersion (10°C for 15 min) and a passive control group (20 min supine position) are compared. These effects are examined after a muscle damage protocol of the frontal thighs (3 x 30 jumps). The objective recovery parameters are vertical jump, maximum voluntary contraction of the anterior thigh muscle, heart rate, blood pressure, skin-core body temperature and the oxygen saturation of the thigh muscles. Subjective recovery parameters are the local muscle soreness details and the general exhaustion details. The parameters are directly and 24, 48 and measured 72 hours after exposure. The aim is to elicit the effects of whole body cooling to make recommendations to. The current scientific knowledge situation calls for further studies to whole body cooling.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2016-04
• Study First Submitted: 2016-06-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2016-07-25
• Study First Posted: 2016-07-28
• Primary Completion: 2018-03
• Study Completion: 2018-06
• Status Verified: 2019-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-08-07
• Last Update Posted: 2019-08-08

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

Only healthy young subjects 18-35 years no musculoskeletal surgery in trunk and lower extremities injury history in trunk and lower extremity for more than one year subjects taking anticonceptive medication are allowed to participate

Exclusion Criteria

Actual injuries or injuries for less than one year in trunk and /or lower extremities injury history in trunk and lower extremity for more than one year with complaints anxiety of cooling subjects on medication pace maker cardiovascular disease pregnancy skeletal problems appendectomy for less than two years Morbus Raynaud syndrome

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Cold-water immersion	cold water tub	The effects of cold-water immersion (10°C for 15 minutes) are investigated after a muscle damage protocol.
Whole-body cryotherapy	Kryosauna Space Cabin	The effects of whole-body cryotherapy (-135°C for 2 minutes) are investigated after a muscle damage protocol.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Maximum voluntary contraction	72 hours	Maximum voluntary contraction will be assessed in kg on a custom made ergometer chair (COR 1)
Delayed onset of muscle soreness	72 hours	DOMS will be assessed using a visual analog scale (0-10 cm)
Ratings of perceived exertion	72 hours	RPE will be assessed using a BORG scale (6-20)
Skin temperature	60 minutes	Skin temperature of the neck, right scapula, right dorsal hand, right frontal thigh, right shin are assessed in °C using thermocouples (iButtons)
Vertical Jump	72 hours	Vertical Jump will be assessed in cm with the Just Jump Plate
Oxygenation of the right thigh muscle	60 min	Oxygenation of the right thigh muscle will be assessed in % using a near infrared spectometer.
Cardiovascular measurements	60 min	Heart rate will be measured in beats per minute and bloop pressure will be measured in mm/Hg using an blood pressure monitor
Core temperature	60 minutes	Core temperature will be assessed in °C via the ear

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Fachhochschule Südschweiz; 🇨🇭 Landquart, Switzerland