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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02847663

The Effect of Whole Body Cryotherapy on Recovery and Performance: a Randomized Controlled Trial

This study investigates the effects of whole-body cryotherapy vs. cold-water immersion after a muscle damage protocol.

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Key information

Conditions

Cold Common Cold Infections Picornaviridae Infections RNA Virus Infections Respiratory Tract Diseases Respiratory Tract Infections Virus Diseases

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Fachhochschule Südschweiz

Landquart, 7302, Switzerland

About this study

In this study the effects of a single- or multiple whole body cryotherapy (-135°C for max. 2 minutes) vs. cold water immersion (10°C for 15 min) and a passive control group (20 min supine position) are compared. These effects are examined after a muscle damage protocol of the frontal thighs (3 x 30 jumps). The objective recovery parameters are vertical jump, maximum voluntary contraction of the anterior thigh muscle, heart rate, blood pressure, skin-core body temperature and the oxygen saturation of the thigh muscles. Subjective recovery parameters are the local muscle soreness details and the general exhaustion details. The parameters are directly and 24, 48 and measured 72 hours after exposure. The aim is to elicit the effects of whole body cooling to make recommendations to. The current scientific knowledge situation calls for further studies to whole body cooling.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

Only healthy young subjects 18-35 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

Kryosauna Space Cabin

Device

The whole body cryotherapy device is able to generatue temperatures up to -195°C for 3 minutes. In this study, we generate temperatures of -135°C for 2 minutes as proposed in the manual. The participant will enter the cabin in cold-resistant shoes and will remain in standing position during the whole procedure. The cold temperature is generated by vaporization of liquid nitrogen.

Other names: Cryomed s.r.o.

cold water tub

Other

The tub will be filled with cold water up to the sternal level of the participants. Adding ice will ensure a constant temperature. The participant will sit inside the tub during the whole procedure.

Primary outcomes

  1. Vertical Jump

    Time frame: 72 hours

    Vertical Jump will be assessed in cm with the Just Jump Plate

  2. Maximum voluntary contraction

    Time frame: 72 hours

    Maximum voluntary contraction will be assessed in kg on a custom made ergometer chair (COR 1)

  3. Delayed onset of muscle soreness

    Time frame: 72 hours

    DOMS will be assessed using a visual analog scale (0-10 cm)

  4. Ratings of perceived exertion

    Time frame: 72 hours

    RPE will be assessed using a BORG scale (6-20)

  5. Skin temperature

    Time frame: 60 minutes

    Skin temperature of the neck, right scapula, right dorsal hand, right frontal thigh, right shin are assessed in °C using thermocouples (iButtons)

  6. Core temperature

    Time frame: 60 minutes

    Core temperature will be assessed in °C via the ear

  7. Cardiovascular measurements

    Time frame: 60 min

    Heart rate will be measured in beats per minute and bloop pressure will be measured in mm/Hg using an blood pressure monitor

  8. Oxygenation of the right thigh muscle

    Time frame: 60 min

    Oxygenation of the right thigh muscle will be assessed in % using a near infrared spectometer.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland

Other

Collaborators

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

Registry information

Acronym: Cryotherapy

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Jul 28, 2016
Registry last updated
Aug 8, 2019

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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