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

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

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02847663
Acronym
Cryotherapy
Enrollment
30
Registered
2016-07-28
Start date
2016-04-30
Completion date
2018-06-30
Last updated
2019-08-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cold

Keywords

Cold, recovery

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.

Interventions

DEVICEKryosauna Space Cabin

The whole body cryotherapy device is able to generatue temperatures up to -195°C for 3 minutes. In this study, we generate temperatures of -135°C for 2 minutes as proposed in the manual. The participant will enter the cabin in cold-resistant shoes and will remain in standing position during the whole procedure. The cold temperature is generated by vaporization of liquid nitrogen.

OTHERcold water tub

The tub will be filled with cold water up to the sternal level of the participants. Adding ice will ensure a constant temperature. The participant will sit inside the tub during the whole procedure.

Sponsors

THIM - die internationale Hochschule für Physiotherapie
CollaboratorOTHER
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
CollaboratorOTHER
University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

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

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Vertical Jump72 hoursVertical Jump will be assessed in cm with the Just Jump Plate
Maximum voluntary contraction72 hoursMaximum voluntary contraction will be assessed in kg on a custom made ergometer chair (COR 1)
Delayed onset of muscle soreness72 hoursDOMS will be assessed using a visual analog scale (0-10 cm)
Ratings of perceived exertion72 hoursRPE will be assessed using a BORG scale (6-20)
Skin temperature60 minutesSkin temperature of the neck, right scapula, right dorsal hand, right frontal thigh, right shin are assessed in °C using thermocouples (iButtons)
Core temperature60 minutesCore temperature will be assessed in °C via the ear
Cardiovascular measurements60 minHeart rate will be measured in beats per minute and bloop pressure will be measured in mm/Hg using an blood pressure monitor
Oxygenation of the right thigh muscle60 minOxygenation of the right thigh muscle will be assessed in % using a near infrared spectometer.

Countries

Switzerland

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026