Innate immunity changes in soccer players after whole-body cryotherapy

Abstract

Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) consists of short exposure (up to 2–3 min) to dry air at cryogenic temperatures (up to -190 °C) and has recently been applied for muscle recovery after injury to reduce the inflammation process. We aimed to determine the impact of cryotherapy on immunological, hormonal, and metabolic responses in non-professional soccer players (NPSPs). Nine male NPSPs (age: 20 ± 2 years) who trained regularly over 5 consecutive days, immediately before and after each training session, were subjected to WBC treatment (WBC-t). Blood samples were collected for the evaluation of fifty analytes including hematologic parameters, serum chemistry, and hormone profiles. Monocytes phenotyping (Mo) was performed and plasmatic markers, usually increased during inflammation [CCL2, IL-18, free mitochondrial (mt)DNA] or with anti-inflammatory effects (IL2RA, IL1RN), were quantified. After WBC-t, we observed reduced levels of ferritin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean platelet volume, testosterone, and estradiol, which however remain within the normal ranges. The percentage of the total, intermediates and non-classical Mo increased, while classical Mo decreased. CXCR4 expression decreased in each Mo subset. Plasma IL18 and IL2RA levels decreased, while IL1RN only exhibited a tendency to decrease and CCL2 showed a tendency to increase. Circulating mtDNA levels were not altered following WBC-t. The differences observed in monocyte subsets after WBC-t may be attributable to their redistribution into the surrounding tissue. Moreover, the decrease of CXCR4 in Mo subpopulations could be coherent with their differentiation process. Thus, WBC through yet unknown mechanisms could promote their differentiation having a role in tissue repair.

Effect of regular winter swimming on blood morphological, rheological, and biochemical indicators and activity of antioxidant enzymes in males

“…No changes in these indicators were also reported by Teległów et al [ 1 , 2 , 7 ]. , Selleri et al [ 28 ]. , Knechtle et al [ 29 ].…”

Determining the capacity for effort and recovery of the elite soccer players specialized in different playing positions

“…The specialists analyzed how different levels of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) exposure influence the subjective and objective measures of recovery after matches in the elite soccer players ( Malone et al, 2021 ). It was determined the impact of the cryotherapy on the immunological, hormonal and metabolic responses in non-professional soccer players (NPSPs) ( Selleri et al, 2022 ). Research was conducted on the crystalloscopic characteristics of oral fluid during various periods of the training and competitive cycle.…”

“…The WBC has been applied for muscle recovery after injury for decreasing the inflammation process. The effects of a single WBC session performed shortly after repeated sprint exercise in professional youth soccer players were also investigated ( Russell et al, 2017 ; Brownstein et al, 2019 ; Moradi & Monazzami, 2020 ; Selleri et al, 2022 ; Martusevich et al, 2022 ).…”