Effects of Whole-Body Cryotherapy vs. Far-Infrared vs. Passive Modalities on Recovery from Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Highly-Trained Runners

Abstract

Enhanced recovery following physical activity and exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) has become a priority for athletes. Consequently, a number of post-exercise recovery strategies are used, often without scientific evidence of their benefits. Within this framework, the purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of whole body cryotherapy (WBC), far infrared (FIR) or passive (PAS) modalities in hastening muscular recovery within the 48 hours after a simulated trail running race. In 3 non-adjoining weeks, 9 well-trained runners performed 3 repetitions of a simulated trail run on a motorized treadmill, designed to induce muscle damage. Immediately (post), post 24 h, and post 48 h after exercise, all participants tested three different recovery modalities (WBC, FIR, PAS) in a random order over the three separate weeks. Markers of muscle damage (maximal isometric muscle strength, plasma creatine kinase [CK] activity and perceived sensations [i.e. pain, tiredness, well-being]) were recorded before, immediately after (post), post 1 h, post 24 h, and post 48 h after exercise. In all testing sessions, the simulated 48 min trail run induced a similar, significant amount of muscle damage. Maximal muscle strength and perceived sensations were recovered after the first WBC session (post 1 h), while recovery took 24 h with FIR, and was not attained through the PAS recovery modality. No differences in plasma CK activity were recorded between conditions. Three WBC sessions performed within the 48 hours after a damaging running exercise accelerate recovery from EIMD to a greater extent than FIR or PAS modalities.

Individualising the exposure of −110 °C whole body cryotherapy: The effects of sex and body composition

“…Whole body cryotherapy (WBC) involves a short exposure to cold air, which is growing in popularity with athletes and coaches (Hausswirth, Louis et al 2011, Costello, Algar et al 2012. The majority of protocols repeatedly expose individuals to extremely cold air (-110°C to -140°C) in an environmentally controlled chamber for short periods of time (2-4 minutes) (Costello, Culligan et al 2012).…”

“…The majority of protocols repeatedly expose individuals to extremely cold air (-110°C to -140°C) in an environmentally controlled chamber for short periods of time (2-4 minutes) (Costello, Culligan et al 2012). WBC has been claimed to treat depression (Rymaszewska, Tulczynski et al 2003), rheumatic conditions (Hirvonen, Mikkelsson et al 2006), ankylosing spondylitiis (Banfi, Lombardi et al 2010), and exercise induced muscle damage (Hausswirth, Louis et al 2011) in both athletic and clinical populations (Hammond, Cuttell et al 2014). A range of claims based on thermoregulatory responses have been stated about the benefits of WBC, however, the evidence supporting these claims is limited in both quality and statistical power (Costello, Culligan et al 2012).…”

Resistance Exercise Performed at Different Degrees of Arterial Occlusion Pressure does not Induce Prolonged Oxidative Stress or Muscle Damage

“…However, it is important to note that the design employed in this study attempted to avoid the repeated-bout effect to tamper the muscle damage response. Even though the participants were submitted to a within individuals cross-over design, there was a large period of recovery time allowed between trials, similar to previous studies [36,37]. Additionally, it seems that protective adaptations from previous bouts of exercise are mainly related to high intensity exercise.…”

Ocena funkcji poznawczych u kajakarzy z reprezentacji narodowej przed i po zastosowaniu krioterapii ogólnoustrojowej

“…The article by Hausswirth et al [15] described positive effects of administering whole body cryotherapy after training inducing muscle damage in runners, as compared with other methods used in the biological regeneration of athletes. Other studied demonstrated a positive effect of whole body cryotherapy on the antioxidant enzyme barrier in peripheral blood [16,17], improvement in neural transduction, increased pain tolerance and threshold [18], as well as static and dynamic balance after ankle injuries [19]. Lubkowska et al [20] have reported an increase in body's immunity, associated with a decrease in total oxidative status and inflammatory response after repeated WBC sessions (10 to 20 sessions).…”