The effect of three different (-135°C) whole body cryotherapy exposure durations on elite rugby league players.
BACKGROUND
Whole body cryotherapy (WBC) is the therapeutic application of extreme cold air for a short duration. Minimal evidence is available for determining optimal exposure time.


OBJECTIVE
To explore whether the length of WBC exposure induces differential changes in inflammatory markers, tissue oxygenation, skin and core temperature, thermal sensation and comfort.


METHODS
This study was a randomised cross over design with participants acting as their own control. Fourteen male professional first team super league rugby players were exposed to 1, 2, and 3 minutes of WBC at -135°C. Testing took place the day after a competitive league fixture, each exposure separated by seven days.


RESULTS
No significant changes were found in the inflammatory cytokine interleukin six. Significant reductions (p<0.05) in deoxyhaemoglobin for gastrocnemius and vastus lateralis were found. In vastus lateralis significant reductions (p<0.05) in oxyhaemoglobin and tissue oxygenation index (p<0.05) were demonstrated. Significant reductions (p<0.05) in skin temperature were recorded. No significant changes were recorded in core temperature. Significant reductions (p<0.05) in thermal sensation and comfort were recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
Three brief exposures to WBC separated by 1 week are not sufficient to induce physiological changes in IL-6 or core temperature. There are however significant changes in tissue oxyhaemoglobin, deoxyhaemoglobin, tissue oxygenation index, skin temperature and thermal sensation. We conclude that a 2 minute WBC exposure was the optimum exposure length at temperatures of -135°C and could be applied as the basis for future studies.
Allied Health Research Unit, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
James
J
Selfe
AHRu, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
Jill
J
Alexander
Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia.
Joseph T
JT
Costello
AHRu, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
Karen
K
May
SSTO, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
Nigel
N
Garratt
SENS, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
Stephen
S
Atkins
SENS, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
Stephanie
S
Dillon
SENS, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
Howard
H
Hurst
SENS, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
Matthew
M
Davison
SENS, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
Daria
D
Przybyla
Wigan Warriors Rugby League, Central Park, Montrose Avenue, Wigan, United Kingdom.
Andrew
A
Coley
Wigan Warriors Rugby League, Central Park, Montrose Avenue, Wigan, United Kingdom.
Mark
M
Bitcon
AHRu, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
Greg
G
Littler
AHRu, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
Jim
J
Richards
D003080:Cold Temperature; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D017679:Cryotherapy; D005538:Football; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013697:Thermosensing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins