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. 2021 Nov 24;3:688828. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2021.688828

Table 2.

The studies investigating the chronic effects of cryostimulation on the physical recovery.

References Outcomes
/subjects
WBC or PBC treatment protocol Cryostimulation effects compare to control condition (“+”: positive effect; “-”: negative effect; “=”: no change)
Broatch et al. (2019) Physiological and performance adaptations
Recreational athletes (triathlon or cycling)
22 males
WBC (Zimmer, Germany)
12 exposures
After training
−10°C, −60°C and 3 min at – 110°C
= Maximal aerobic power
= VO2 max
= Time to exhaustion
= Performance in the time trial
= Blood markers (adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol)
= Sleep quality (time in bed, sleep duration, sleep latency sleep efficiency …)
Jaworska et al. (2021) Growth factors concentrations, amino acids profile and motor abilities in professional judokas WBC (Zimmer, Germany)
10 exposures – One a day
2 h after training
30 s at −60°C and 3 min at −110°C
+ Circulating levels of two growth factors (BDNF and IGF-1)
+ Amino acid profile
+ Specific judo abilities
+ Muscle function
Jaworska et al. (2020) Resistance training supported by cryostimulation
Untrained students
17 females
13 males
WBC (Unknown model)
12 exposures during 4 weeks of resistance training
30 s at – 60°C and 3 min at −110°C
+ Isokinetic muscle strength
+ Pedal force
+ Myoglobin concentration in blood
+ Blood marker concentration (myostatin, IL-15)
+ Muscle pain
Jaworska et al. (2018) Specific training supported by cryostimulation
University volleyball players
10 females
10 males
WBC (Unknown model)
10 exposures during 2 weeks of specific volleyball training
30 s at −60°C and 3 min at −110°C
+ Limitation of physical performance decrease
+ Concentration of growth factors (BDNF, IGF1) in blood
Klimek et al. (2010) Aerobic capacity and maximal anaerobic power
Students of physical education
15 females
15 males
WBC (Unknown model)
10 exposures
−60°C and 3 min at −110°C
= Aerobic capacity
+ Maximal anaerobic power
Le Meur et al. (2017) Maximal incremental running test
16 triathletes in functional overreaching
WBC Zimmer
7 exposures on 7 days during 1 week of tapering
+ Performance in maximal incremental test
= Change in perceived fatigue with CONT
Lubkowska and Szygula (2010) Aerobic capacity
25 healthy males
WBC (Unknown model)
15 exposures
30 s at −60°C and 3 min at −130°C
= VO2max
- Red Blood Cell concentration in blood
- Hemoglobin concentration

WBC, whole-body cryotherapy; PBC, partial-body cryotherapy; DALDA, The Daily Analysis of Life Demands for Athletes; DOMS, delayed onset of muscle soreness; CMJ, countermovement jump; MVIC, maximal voluntary isometric contraction; RFD, rate of force development; HR, heart rate; HRV, heart rate variability; RMSSD, root mean square standard deviation; SDNN, standard deviation of the NN (R–R) intervals; HF, high-frequency power; LF, Low-frequency power; VO2, Oxygen consumption; VO2 max, Maximal oxygen consumption; CK, creatine kinase; IL-6, interleukin 6; IL-15, interleukin 15; CRP, C reactive protein; TNF- α, tumor necrosis factor-α; BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; IGF1, insulin-like growth factor.