The effect of local cryotherapy on subjective and objective recovery characteristics following an exhaustive jump protocol

Figures & data

Table 1 Anthropometric data of the participants

Parameters	Total (n=22)	Groups
		Cold treatment (n=11)	Thermoneutral treatment (n=11)
Height (cm)	170.3±7.5 (159–184.6)	172.5±8.3 (159–184.6)	168.1±6.2 (160.8–184.2)
Weight (kg)	66.0±10.7 (51.6–101.8)	68.2±13.4 51.6–101.8)	63.7±7.1 (54.4–77.6)
ELBF%	28.4±8.0 (14–39)	27.8±9.0 (14–39)	29.0±7.2 (14–36)
BMI	22.6±2.2 20.1–29.8	22.7±2.6 (20.1–29.8)	22.5±1.9 (20.1–26.4)

Note: Values are presented as mean ± SD (range).

Abbreviations: BMI: body mass index; ELBF%: estimated lower body fat, in percentage; SD, standard deviation.

Table 2 Detailed inclusion and exclusion criteria for this study

Inclusion criteria	Exclusion criteria
Participants aged between 18 years and 30 years	Allergy to cold (eg, Raynaud’s disease)
Moderate physical activity (minimum: two times per week endurance exercise, total time minimum: 2 hours; maximum: 3 times per week endurance exercise, total time maximum: 3 hours)	Cardiovascular diseases Cardiac pacemaker and cardiac arrhythmia Intake of any medication Pregnancy Skeletal deviations
No musculoskeletal surgery	Alcohol consumption during
No injuries at the torso or lower extremities in the previous 12 months	72-hour recovery Recreational training during
No current pain symptoms	72-hour recovery

Figure 1 Schematic representation of the test protocol.

Note: Downward pointing arrows denote the time points when recovery characteristics were measured.
Abbreviations: DOMS, delayed-onset muscle soreness; PPO, peak power output; RPE, ratings of perceived exertion; VJP, vertical jump performance.

Figure 2 Change over time of DOMS and RPE for the groups.

Notes: The values are in median ± interquartile ranges. *Indicates a significant time effect (P<0.05). ^#Significantly different from baseline values within groups (P<0.05).
Abbreviations: DOMS, delayed-onset muscle soreness; RPE, ratings of perceived exertion; VAS, visual analog scale.

Figure 3 Change over time of VJP and PPO for the groups.

Notes: The values are provided as mean ± SD. *Indicates a significant time effect (P<0.05).
Abbreviations: PPO, peak power output; VJP, vertical jump performance; SD, standard deviation.

Table 3 Changes over time of subjective and objective recovery variables

Variable	Baseline	0 hours	24 hours	48 hours	72 hours
DOMS (VAS: 0–10 cm)
Cold groupa	0.1±0.0	5±1.9	5.6±2.2	7.7±2.9	7.7±3.75
Thermoneutral groupa	0.1±0.1	4.1±3.35	5.0±2.6	6.3±3.2	6.3±5.4
sP-value	0.23	0.13	0.10	0.19	0.13
RPE (Borg: 6–20)
Cold groupa	8±2	14±2	9±3.5	12±5.5	11±3.5
Thermoneutral groupa	7±2	14±2	8±2.5	8±4.5	7±4
P-value	0.20	1.00	0.24	0.11	0.06
VJP (cm)
Cold groupb	38.51±6.86	31.02±7.16	34.59±8.07	29.81±12.89	28.44±13.77
Thermoneutral groupb	40.08±6.99	35.06±8.39	37.82±7.76	33.87±10.81	33.65±11.92
P-value	0.60	0.23	0.35	0.43	0.35
PPO (W)
Cold groupb	3,375±876	2,920±855	3,137±953	2,846±1,105	2,763±1,104
Thermoneutral groupb	3,267±636	2,963±702	3,130±677	2,890±844	2,877±896
P-value	0.74	0.89	0.98	0.91	0.79

Note: Values are presented as

a median ± IQR and

b mean ± SD.

Abbreviations: DOMS, delayed-onset muscle soreness; IQR, interquartile range; PPO, peak power output; RPE, ratings of perceived exertion; VAS, visual analog scale; VJP, vertical jump performance; SD, standard deviation.