Timing of Preexercise Partial-Body Cryotherapy Exposure to Promote Jump Performance
in International Journal of Sports Physiology and PerformanceClick name to view affiliation
Search for other papers by Emily M. Partridge in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Julie Cooke in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Andrew J. McKune in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by David B. Pyne in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
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.
© 2023 Human Kinetics