Timing of Preexercise Partial-Body Cryotherapy Exposure to Promote Jump Performance

in International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

Click name to view affiliation

Emily M. Partridge
Search for other papers by Emily M. Partridge in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Julie Cooke
Search for other papers by Julie Cooke in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Andrew J. McKune
Search for other papers by Andrew J. McKune in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
David B. Pyne
Search for other papers by David B. Pyne in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of partial-body cryotherapy (PBC) exposure 1, 2, or 3 hours before maximal-effort jump performance, salivary enzyme concentration, perceived readiness, and well-being. Methods: Male team-sport players (N = 27; 24.2 [3.6] y; 91.5 [13.2] kg) were exposed to a blinded bout of PBC (−135°C [6°C]) and control (−59°C [17°C]) either 1, 2, or 3 hours prior to countermovement jumps. Passive saliva samples were collected to determine α-amylase concentration. Self-reported performance readiness and well-being questionnaires were completed using a 1–5 Likert scale. Results: Differences in the change in mean countermovement jump velocity and absolute power between PBC and control were unclear at 1 hour (+1.9% [5.3%], P = .149; +0.7% [10.6%], P = .919; mean difference [90% confidence limits]), 2 hours (+3.3% [2.7%], P = .196; +7.8% [7.4%], P = .169), and 3 hours postexposure (+3.1% [3.3%], P = .467; +0.7% [4.8%], P = .327). Salivary α-amylase concentration was elevated 15 minutes postexposure in the 1-hour (+61% [14%], P = .008) and 2-hour groups (+55% [12%], P = .013). The increase in self-reported performance readiness was higher after PBC (+2.4 [1.2] units, P = .046) in the 2-hour group and by 1.4 (1.1) units (P = .023) after 3 hours. Mental fatigue was favorably decreased 2 hours after PBC exposure (+0.5 [0.1], P = .041). Conclusions: An acute exposure of PBC elicits potentially favorable but unclear changes in countermovement jump performance. The PBC enhances salivary α-amylase concentration and perceived performance readiness, reduces mental fatigue, and could be useful in sport-specific training or competitions.

The authors are with the Research Inst for Sport and Exercise Science (UCRISE), University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia; Cooke and McKune are also with the Faculty of Health at the university. McKune is also with the Discipline of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.

Partridge (emily.partridge@canberra.edu.au) is corresponding author.
  • Collapse
  • Expand
  • 1.

    Blagrove RC, Howatson G, Hayes PR. Use of loaded conditioning activities to potentiate middle- and long-distance performance: a narrative review and practical applications. J Strength Cond Res. 2019;33(8):22882297.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 2.

    Clarke AC, Anson JM, Pyne DB. Neuromuscular fatigue and muscle damage after a women’s rugby sevens tournament. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2015;10(6):808. doi:10.1123/ijspp.2014-0590

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 3.

    Selfe J, Alexander J, Costello JT, et al. The effect of three different (−135 degrees C) whole body cryotherapy exposure durations on elite rugby league players. PLoS One. 2014;9(1):e86420. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0086420

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 4.

    Bouzigon R, Grappe F, Ravier G, Dugue B. Whole and partial-body cryostimulation/cryotherapy: current technologies and practical applications. J Therm Biol. 2016;61(2):6781. doi:10.1016/j.jtherbio.2016.08.009

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 5.

    Ferreira-Junior JB, Bottaro M, Vieira A, et al. One session of partial-body cryotherapy (−110 °C) improves muscle damage recovery: cryotherapy (−110 °C) improves muscle recovery. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2015;25(5):e524e530. doi:10.1111/sms.12353

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 6.

    Russell JM, Birch MJ, Love PT, et al. The effects of a single whole-body cryotherapy exposure on physiological, performance, and perceptual responses of professional academy soccer players after repeated sprint exercise. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(2):415421. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001505

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 7.

    Schaal K, Le Meur Y, Louis J, et al. Whole-body cryostimulation limits overreaching in elite synchronized swimmers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015;47(7):14161425.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 8.

    Ditzen B, Ehlert U, Nater UM. Associations between salivary alpha-amylase and catecholamines—a multilevel modeling approach. Biol Psychol. 2014;103:1518. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2014.08.001

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 9.

    Kennedy B, Dillon E, Mills PJ, Ziegler MG. Catecholamines in human saliva. Life Sci. 2001;69(1):8799. doi:10.1016/S0024-3205(01)01111-0

  • 10.

    French DN, Kraemer WJ, Volek JS, et al. Anticipatory responses of catecholamines on muscle force production. J Appl Physiol. 2007;102(1):94102. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00586.2006

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 11.

    Jaworska J, Micielska K, Kozlowska M, et al. A 2-week specific volleyball training supported by the whole-body cryostimulation protocol induced an increase of growth factors and counteracted deterioration of physical performance. Front Physiol. 2018;9:1711. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.01711

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 12.

    Hausswirth C, Louis J, Bieuzen F, et al. Effects of whole-body cryotherapy vs. far-infrared vs. passive modalities on recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage in highly-trained runners. PLoS One. 2011;6(12):e27749. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0027749

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 13.

    Christophe H, Karine S, Yann Le M, et al. Parasympathetic activity and blood catecholamine responses following a single partial-body cryostimulation and a whole-body cryostimulation. PLoS One. 2013;8(8):e72658. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0072658

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 14.

    Ziemann E, Olek RA, Kujach S, et al. Five-day whole-body cryostimulation, blood inflammatory markers, and performance in high-ranking professional tennis players. J Athl Train. 2012;47(6):664672.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 15.

    Partridge EM, Cooke J, McKune A, Pyne DB. Application of acute pre-exercise partial-body cryotherapy promotes jump performance, salivary α-amylase and athlete readiness. Biol Sport. 2021;39(3):563569. doi:10.5114/biolsport.2022.107019

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 16.

    Rivera J, Tercero MJ, Salas JS, Gimeno JH, Alejo JS. The effect of cryotherapy on fibromyalgia: a randomised clinical trial carried out in a cryosauna cabin. Int J Rheumatol. 2018;38(12):22432250. doi:10.1007/s00296-018-4176-0

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 17.

    McLean BD, Coutts AJ, Kelly V, McGuigan MR, Cormack SJ. Neuromuscular, endocrine, and perceptual fatigue responses during different length between-match microcycles in professional rugby league players. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2010;5(3):367383.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 18.

    Hooper SL, Mackinnon LT. Monitoring overtraining in athletes: recommendations. J Sports Med. 1995;20(5):321327. doi:10.2165/00007256-199520050-00003

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 19.

    Mason RJB, Argus KC, Norcott BB, Ball BN. Resistance training priming activity improves upper-body power output in rugby players: implications for game day performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(4):913920. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001552

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 20.

    Rodríguez-Rosell MD, Mora-Custodio JR, Franco-Márquez JF, Yáñez-García JJ, González-Badillo JJ. Traditional vs. sport-specific vertical jump tests: reliability, validity, and relationship with the legs strength and sprint performance in adult and teen soccer and basketball players. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(1):196206. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001476

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 21.

    De Nardi M, Pizzigalli L, Benis R, Caffaro F, Micheletti Cremasco M. Acute effects of partial-body cryotherapy on isometric strength: maximum handgrip strength evaluation. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(12):34973502. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001797

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 22.

    De Nardi M, La Torre A, Benis R, Sarabon N, Fonda B. Acute effects of whole-body cryotherapy on sit-and-reach amplitude in women and men. Cryobiology. 2015;71(3):511513. doi:10.1016/j.cryobiol.2015.10.148

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 23.

    Haugen TA, Breitschädel F, Wiig H, Seiler S. Countermovement jump height in national-team athletes of various sports: a framework for practitioners and scientists. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2020;16(2):184189.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 24.

    Nater UM, Rohleder N. Salivary alpha-amylase—a biomarker of the sympathetic nervous system. J Psychophysiol. 2009;46(4):14.

  • 25.

    Kregel KC, Seals DR, Callister R. Sympathetic nervous system activity during skin cooling in humans: relationship to stimulus intensity and pain sensation. J Physiol. 1992;454(1):359371. doi:10.1113/jphysiol.1992.sp019268

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 26.

    Kivlighan KT, Granger DA. Salivary alpha-amylase response to competition: relation to gender, previous experience, and attitudes. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2006;31(6):703714. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2006.01.007

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 27.

    Poignard M, Guilhem G, de Larochelambert Q, Montalvan B, Bieuzen F. The impact of recovery practices adopted by professional tennis players on fatigue markers according to training type clusters. Front Sports Act Living. 2020;2:109. doi:10.3389/fspor.2020.00109

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 3084 1666 72
Full Text Views 30 18 1
PDF Downloads 39 17 0