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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02506283

The Effect of Thermotherapy on Recovery and Performance

This study investigates the effects of cooling on the recovery and performance characteristic in young healthy subjects. The study is divided in two projects:

Project A: investigates the effects of 20 min. post-exercise cooling on vertical jump performance and delayed onset muscle soreness and rated perceived exertion.

Project B: investigates the effects of 20 min. pre-exercise cooling on maximal voluntary contraction of the right M. quadriceps femoris and delayed onset muscle soreness and rated perceived exertion.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland SUPSI

Landquart, Kanton Graubünden, 7302, Switzerland

About this study

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a 20 min. external cooling application (+8°C ) versus a external thermo neutral application (+32°C) up to 72 hours post application.

The study is divided in two projects:

Project A: This study is focusing on the recovery process after a max. jump performance (3x30 counter movement jumps). Directly after the exercise subjects receive a cooling or thermo-neutral application. Recovery characteristics measured by vertical jump performance (objective) and delayed onset muscle soreness and rated perceived exertion (subjective) are measured in function of time up to 72 hours post cooling intervention.

Project B: This study is focusing on the effect of 20 min. cooling or thermo-neutral application on the M. quadriceps femoris performance (MVC). After the thermo-application, the 60% endurance MVC is measured by means of surface EMG (OT Bioelettronica 10-750 Hz) in a ergometer chair 90° degrees knee flexion (Cor 1 Bioelettronica). Muscle conduction velocity, MVC (objective), delayed onset muscle soreness and rated perceived exertion (subjective) are measured in function of time up to 72 hours post thermo-application.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • only healthy young subjects 18-30 years
  • no musculoskeletal surgery in trunk and lower extremities
  • injury history in trunk and lower extremity for more than one year
  • subjects taking anticonceptive medication are allowed to participate

Exclusion criteria

  • actual injuries or injuries for less than one year in trunk and /or lower extremities
  • injury history in trunk and lower extremity for more than one year with complaints
  • anxiety of cooling
  • subjects on medication
  • pace maker
  • cardiovascular disease
  • pregnancy
  • skeletal problems
  • appendectomy for less than two years
  • Morbus Raynaud syndrome

Treatment and study plan

Zamar Therapy CT clinic

Device

Zamar Therapy is a certified medical product (directive 93/42/EEC and ISO 134 85:2012) (www.zamarmedical.com)

Primary outcomes

  1. Delayed-onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

    Time frame: 72 hours

    The subjective recovery characteristics "Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS)" was rated on a 0-10 cm visual analog scale. DOMS was assessed in a squat position (90° knee angle, with brief holding of maximum 3 seconds) ranging from zero (no soreness) to ten (severe soreness). Higher values mean mean more DOMS and therefore less recovery.

  2. Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE)

    Time frame: 72 hours

    The subjective recovery characteristics " Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE)" was rated on a 6-20 Borg scale (from 6 = "no exertion at all" to 20 = "Maximal exertion") in a standing position. The higher value means more exertion and therefore less recovery.

  3. Vertical Jump Performance (VJP)

    Time frame: 72 hours

    Vertical jump performance (VJP) was assessed performing three maximal counter mouvemet jumps (CMJs) with a 30-second pause between the three jumps on the Just Jump system (Probotics Inc, Huntsville, AL, USA). The highest jump was recorded.

  4. Peak Power Output (PPO)

    Time frame: 72 hours

    Peak power output (PPO) was assessed performing three maximal counter movement jumps (CMJs) on the Just Jump system (Probotics Inc, Huntsville, AL, USA) with a 30-second pause between the three jumps. PPO (presented in watts) was calculated.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland

Other

Collaborators

  • THIM - die internationale Hochschule für Physiotherapie
  • Universiteit Antwerpen
  • Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Cryotherapy on Recovery and Performance: A Randomized Controlled Double Blind Trial

Acronym: Cryotherapy

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2019
First posted
Jul 23, 2015
Registry last updated
Oct 20, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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