The Effect of Repetitive Whole Body Cryotherapy Treatment on Adaptations to a Strength and Endurance Training Programme in Physically Active Males

Abstract

Despite its potential merit in sport and exercise recovery, the implications of repetitive Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC) during training programmes require further review due to the possibility of repetitive cold interfering with long term adaptations. This study investigated the impact of two weekly 3 min WBC sessions (30 s at -60°C, 150 s at -120°C) on adaptations to a 6 week strength and endurance training programme. Sixteen male participants (mean ± SD age 33.4 ± 9.8 years, body mass 82.3 ± 9.8 kg) randomly allocated into WBC (n = 7) and non-cryotherapy control (CON, n=9) groups completed the programme consisting of two weekly strength and plyometric training sessions and two weekly 30 min runs (70% VO₂ max). Participants were assessed for body fat, VO₂ max, muscle torque, three repetition maximum barbell squat and countermovement jump height before and after the programme. Resistance and running intensities were progressed after 3 weeks. Participants in both groups significantly improved muscle torque (WBC: 277.1 ± 63.2 Nm vs. 318.1 ± 83.4 Nm, p < 0.01, d = 0.56; CON: 244.6 ± 50.6 Nm vs. 268.0 ± 71.8 Nm, p = 0.05, d = 0.38) and barbell squat (WBC: 86.4 ± 19.5 kg vs. 98.9 ± 15.2 kg, p = 0.03, d = 0.69; CON: 91.1 ± 28.7 kg vs. 106.1 ± 30.0 kg, p < 0.01, d=0.51) following the 6 week programme. For the CON group, there was also a significant reduction in body fat percentage (p = 0.01) and significant increase in jump height (p = 0.01). There was no significant increase in VO₂ max for either group (both p > 0.2). There was no difference between WBC and CON for responses in muscle torque, 3RM barbell squat and body fat, however WBC participants did not increase their jump height (p = 0.23). Repetitive WBC does not appear to blunt adaptations to a concurrent training programme, although there may be an interference effect in the development of explosive power. Sports practitioners can cautiously apply repetitive WBC to support recovery post-exercise without undue concern on athletes' fitness gains or long term performance, particularly throughout training phases focused more on general strength development than explosive power.

Keywords: cold; cryostimulation; exercise; fitness; power; sport.

Figure 1

Summary of design for training study with 4 sessions performed weekly. WBC, whole body cryotherapy; CON, control; 3RM, 3 repetition maximum; CMJ, countermovement jump test. *Weight for barbell squat progressed from 70% 1RM to 75% 1RM after 3 weeks.

Figure 2

Body fat percentages before and after the 6 week training programme for WBC (n = 7) and CON (n = 9) groups. *p <0.05 for body fat decrease in CON. Solid lines present means ± standard deviations. Dotted lines present individual participant responses. N = 16.

Figure 3

Relative VO₂ max for WBC (n = 7) and CON (n = 9) groups before and after 6 week training programme. Solid lines present means ± standard deviations. Dotted lines present individual participant responses. N = 16.

Figure 4

Leg muscle torques for WBC (n = 7) and CON (n = 9) before and after 6 week training programme. *p ≤ 0.05 for increase in both groups. Solid lines present means ± standard deviations. Dotted lines present individual participant responses. N = 16.

Figure 5

Barbell squat three repetition maximums for WBC (n = 7) and CON (n = 9) before and after 6 week training programme. *p ≤ 0.05 for increase in both groups. Solid lines present means ± standard deviations. Dotted lines present individual participant responses. N = 16.

Figure 6

Countermovement jump height for WBC (n = 7) and CON (n = 9) before and after 6 week training programme. *p <0.05 for increase in CON group. Solid lines present means ± standard deviations. Dotted lines present individual participant responses. N = 16.