Abstract
This review aims to evaluate the current body of literature investigating the effect
of whole body cryotherapy on recovery after exercise. A systematic search was conducted
to investigate the effect of whole body cryotherapy (WBC, exposure to temperatures
between −110 to −190°C) on markers of recovery after damaging exercise in healthy,
physically active subjects. Of the 16 eligible articles extracted, ten induced muscle
damage using controlled exercise in a laboratory setting, while six induced damage
during sport-specific training. Results indicated that muscle pain was reduced in
80% of studies following WBC. Two applied studies found recovery of athletic capacity
and performance with WBC improved, variables of this nature were also improved in
71% of studies using controlled exercise. Further benefits of WBC treatment included
reduction of systemic inflammation and lower concentrations of markers for muscle
cell damage. These results suggest that WBC may improve recovery from muscle damage,
with multiple exposures more consistently exhibiting improvements in recovery from
pain, loss of muscle function, and markers of inflammation and damage. The diversity
in muscle damage protocols, exposure timing with regards to exercise, as well as temperatures,
duration and frequencies of exposure, make specific recommendations preliminary at
present.
Key word
cryostimulation - delayed onset muscle soreness - athletic recovery - muscle function
- immune - inflammation
