Cold-water immersion (cryotherapy) for preventing and treating muscle soreness after exercise

Bleakley, Chris; McDonough, Suzanne; Gardner, Evie; Baxter, G. David; Hopkins, J. Ty; Davison, Gareth W.

doi:10.1002/14651858.cd008262.pub2

Cited by 116 publications

(105 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…For comparison, we used a convenience sample of studies reporting tissue-temperature reductions induced by ice-pack application (crushed ice) and CWI based on durations of 10 minutes and 5 minutes, respectively. These durations were selected as they align well with current clinical practice 3,4…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Whole-body cryotherapy: empirical evidence and theoretical perspectives

Bleakley¹,

Bieuzen²,

Davison³

et al. 2014

OAJSM

Self Cite

107

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Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) involves short exposures to air temperatures below −100°C. WBC is increasingly accessible to athletes, and is purported to enhance recovery after exercise and facilitate rehabilitation postinjury. Our objective was to review the efficacy and effectiveness of WBC using empirical evidence from controlled trials. We found ten relevant reports; the majority were based on small numbers of active athletes aged less than 35 years. Although WBC produces a large temperature gradient for tissue cooling, the relatively poor thermal conductivity of air prevents significant subcutaneous and core body cooling. There is weak evidence from controlled studies that WBC enhances antioxidant capacity and parasympathetic reactivation, and alters inflammatory pathways relevant to sports recovery. A series of small randomized studies found WBC offers improvements in subjective recovery and muscle soreness following metabolic or mechanical overload, but little benefit towards functional recovery. There is evidence from one study only that WBC may assist rehabilitation for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. There were no adverse events associated with WBC; however, studies did not seem to undertake active surveillance of predefined adverse events. Until further research is available, athletes should remain cognizant that less expensive modes of cryotherapy, such as local ice-pack application or cold-water immersion, offer comparable physiological and clinical effects to WBC.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Whole-body cryotherapy: empirical evidence and theoretical perspectives

Bleakley¹,

Bieuzen²,

Davison³

et al. 2014

OAJSM

Self Cite

107

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“…Symptoms of DOMS generally commence 12–24 hours after exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), which include tenderness on palpation and muscle stiffness during movement 21. One of the most common protocols for potentially preventing symptoms of DOMS is CWI 22. The philosophy of CWI follows the principles of cryotherapy listed herein.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of local cryotherapy on subjective and objective recovery characteristics following an exhaustive jump protocol

Hohenauer

Clarys

Baeyens

et al. 2016

OAJSM

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The purpose of this controlled trial was to investigate the effects of a single local cryotherapy session on the recovery characteristics over a period of 72 hours. Twenty-two young and healthy female (n=17; mean age: 21.9±1.1 years) and male (n=5;mean age: 25.4±2.8 years) adults participated in this study. Following an exhaustive jump protocol (3×30 countermovement jumps), half of the participants received either a single local cryotherapy application (+8°C) or a single local thermoneutral application (+32°C) of 20-minute duration using two thigh cuffs. Subjective measures of recovery (delayed-onset muscle soreness and ratings of perceived exertion) and objective measures of recovery (vertical jump performance and peak power output) were assessed immediately following the postexercise applications (0 hours) and at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after the jump protocol. Local cryotherapy failed to significantly affect any subjective recovery variable during the 72-hour recovery period (P>0.05). After 72 hours, the ratings of perceived exertion were significantly lower in the thermoneutral group compared to that in the cryotherapy group (P=0.002). No significant differences were observed between the cryotherapy and the thermoneutral groups with respect to any of the objective recovery variables. In this experimental study, a 20-minute cryotherapy cuff application failed to demonstrate a positive effect on any objective measures of recovery. The effects of local thermoneutral application on subjective recovery characteristics were superior when compared to the effects of local cryotherapy application at 72 hours postapplication.

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“…Some studies have reported positive results from these therapies, but these studies have generally relied on subjective outcome measures [1]- [3]. Purely objective outcomes, such as blood tests, have been attempted, but results have been mixed [4] [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Though the physiological mechanisms are not known, cryotherapy is commonly used for acute soft tissue injuries to reduce pain and swelling. It may also have an anti-inflammatory effect [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Agreement with Microcurrent Conductance, Serum Myoglobin, and Diagnostic Ultrasound When Evaluating Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Hui¹,

Petrofsky²,

Laymon³

2014

IJCM

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Purpose/Hypothesis: To determine if agreement exists between microcurrent conductance through the skin over an injury, myoglobin levels in the serum, and diagnostic ultrasound measurements of swelling. Number of Subjects: 140. Materials/Methods: Subject underwent microcurrent conductance, serum myoglobin, diagnostic ultrasound, and strength testing before and after delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) was induced. Non-control subjects were also given a therapy wrap, dry heat, moist heat, or cold, either applied immediately or delayed 24 hours. Results: After induction of DOMS, there was agreement between significant 37% decreases in microcurrent conductance, significant 37% serum myoglobin increases, and significant 20% increases in quadriceps size, measured by diagnostic ultrasound. When either dry heat or cold was applied immediately, changes in these measurements were insignificant and less than 10%. Agreement was weaker when treatment was delayed 24 hours. Also, cold packs showed less than a 5% decrease in microcurrent conductance for covered areas compared to a 22% decrease for uncovered areas around the knee with 24 hour delay. Moist heat packs showed an insignificant change overall, but a significant 11% decrease for the covered center of the quadriceps with immediate treatment. Strength decreased 25% after DOMS, and all immediate treatments, along with 24 hour delayed cold and moist heat showed significantly smaller decreases. Conclusions: Changes in microcurrent conductance through the skin over injured tissue appear to be indicative of initial injury and recovery, and also for detecting the specific area of the injury. Clinical Relevance: Microcurrent through the skin over injured tissue appears to be a promising objective measurement of tissue injury as well as recovery from injury.

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Cold-water immersion (cryotherapy) for preventing and treating muscle soreness after exercise

Cited by 116 publications

References 72 publications

Whole-body cryotherapy: empirical evidence and theoretical perspectives

Whole-body cryotherapy: empirical evidence and theoretical perspectives

The effect of local cryotherapy on subjective and objective recovery characteristics following an exhaustive jump protocol

Agreement with Microcurrent Conductance, Serum Myoglobin, and Diagnostic Ultrasound When Evaluating Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

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