Whole-body cryotherapy does not augment adaptations to high-intensity interval training

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of regular post-exercise whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on physiological and performance adaptations to high-intensity interval training (HIT). In a two-group parallel design, twenty-two well-trained males performed four weeks of cycling HIT, with each session immediately followed by 3 min of WBC (-110 °C) or a passive control (CON). To assess the effects of WBC on the adaptive response to HIT, participants performed the following cycling tests before and after the training period; a graded exercise test (GXT), a time-to-exhaustion test (T_max), a 20-km time trial (20_TT), and a 120-min submaximal test (SM₁₂₀). Blood samples were taken before and after training to measure changes in basal adrenal hormones (adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol). Sleep patterns were also assessed during training via wrist actigraphy. As compared with CON, the administration of WBC after each training session during four weeks of HIT had no effect on peak oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O_2peak) and peak aerobic power (P_peak) achieved during the GXT, T_max duration and work performed (W_Tmax), 20_TT performance, substrate oxidation during the SM₁₂₀, basal adrenaline/noradrenaline/cortisol concentrations, or sleep patterns (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that regular post-exercise WBC is not an effective strategy to augment training-induced aerobic adaptations to four weeks of HIT.

Figure 1

Peak aerobic power (P_peak; a) and peak oxygen uptake ($\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O_2peak; b) achieved during the graded exercise test (GXT), time-to-exhaustion duration (T_max; c), time-to-exhaustion work completed (W_Tmax; d), and 20 km time trial (TT₂₀) duration (e) and mean power (f) for the control (CON, n = 11) and whole-body cryotherapy (WBC, n = 11) conditions, before (Pre) and after (Post) the 4-week training period. *Significantly higher Post, as compared with Pre. Values are presented as mean ± SD.

Figure 2

Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) (a), fat oxidation (b), and carbohydrate oxidation (c) during the 120-min submaximal cycling test (SM₁₂₀) for the control (CON, n = 11) and whole-body cryotherapy (WBC, n = 11) conditions, before (Pre) and after (Post) the 4-week training period. *Significantly higher Post, as compared with Pre; ⁺Significant duration effect during SM₁₂₀. Values are presented as mean ± SD.

Figure 3

Adrenaline (a), noradrenaline (b), and cortisol (c) concentrations for the control (CON, n = 9) and whole-body cryotherapy (WBC, n = 11) conditions, before (Pre) and after (Post) the 4-week training period. Values are presented as mean ± SD.

Figure 4

Experimental Design.