Exercise-Induced Fatigue, Recovery
Conditions
Keywords
Whole-Body Cryotherapy, Cryotherapy, Exercise-Induced Fatigue, Recovery, Isokinetic Dynamometer
Brief summary
This randomized crossover study investigated the effects of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on isokinetic knee performance following running-induced fatigue in physically active healthy male university students. Participants completed two recovery conditions, WBC and passive rest, on separate days following a standardized treadmill fatigue protocol. Knee extension and flexion strength were assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer at angular velocities of 60°/s and 240°/s. In addition, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and perceived fatigue responses were monitored throughout the recovery period. The study aimed to determine whether WBC improves post-exercise recovery and lower-extremity muscle performance compared with passive rest.
Detailed description
This study was designed to investigate the effects of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on recovery and isokinetic muscle performance following exercise-induced fatigue in physically active healthy male university students. Exercise-induced fatigue is associated with reduced muscle force production, impaired performance, and increased injury risk. Various recovery strategies have been used to minimize these negative effects, and WBC has gained increasing attention in sports medicine because of its potential physiological and neuromuscular recovery benefits. The study used a randomized within-subject crossover design in which participants completed two recovery conditions, WBC and passive rest, on separate days following a standardized treadmill-based fatigue protocol. During the WBC condition, participants were exposed to a two-stage cryogenic chamber consisting of an adaptation chamber at -30°C followed by a main chamber at -85°C. Passive rest sessions were performed under the same laboratory conditions without cryotherapy exposure. Primary outcome measures included isokinetic knee extension and flexion performance assessed at angular velocities of 60°/s and 240°/s using an isokinetic dynamometer. Peak torque and body mass-normalized peak torque values were analyzed for both dominant and non-dominant lower extremities. Secondary outcome measures included systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and perceived fatigue responses measured throughout the recovery period. The aim of the study was to determine whether WBC provides superior recovery effects compared with passive rest following running-induced acute fatigue.
Interventions
PROCEDUREWhole-Body Cryotherapy
Participants underwent whole-body cryotherapy following a standardized running-induced fatigue protocol. The intervention was performed in a two-stage cryogenic chamber consisting of a 30-second adaptation phase at -30°C followed by a 3-minute exposure at -85°C.
Sponsors
Biruni University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Participants completed both recovery conditions (whole-body cryotherapy and passive rest) in a randomized crossover manner on separate days following a standardized running-induced fatigue protocol. Each participant served as his own control, and sessions were separated by at least 48 hours.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy male participants aged 18-30 years with no exercise limitation * No history of knee or lower-extremity injury requiring physiotherapy or surgical intervention * No current lower-extremity pain * No limitation in lower-extremity range of motion * No chronic disease * No mental or psychological disorder
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of cardiovascular disease * Presence of respiratory disease * History of cold allergy * Presence of a tumor-related disease * Presence of a viral or bacterial infection * Diagnosis of Raynaud's disease * Presence of claustrophobia
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Torque During Knee Extension and Flexion | Immediately after the 30-minute recovery period | Assessment of isokinetic knee extension and flexion peak torque at 60°/s and 240°/s following whole-body cryotherapy and passive rest recovery conditions. |
| Peak Torque Normalized to Body Mass | Immediately after the 30-minute recovery period | Assessment of body mass-normalized peak torque values during isokinetic knee extension and flexion testing at 60°/s and 240°/s. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Rate | Baseline, immediately after exercise, and every 5 minutes during the 30-minute recovery period | Assessment of heart rate responses throughout the recovery period following exercise-induced fatigue. |
| Blood Pressure | Baseline, immediately after exercise, and every 5 minutes during the 30-minute recovery period | Assessment of systolic and diastolic blood pressure responses throughout the recovery period. |
| Oxygen Saturation | Baseline, immediately after exercise, and every 5 minutes during the 30-minute recovery period | Assessment of peripheral oxygen saturation during the recovery period. |
| Perceived Fatigue | Immediately after exercise, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes after exercise | Assessment of perceived fatigue using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale (6-20 points). Scores range from 6 (no exertion) to 20 (maximal exertion), with higher scores indicating greater perceived fatigue and exertion. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed