title: Acute Effects of Partial-Body Cryotherapy on Isometric Strength: Maximum Handgrip Strength Evaluation.
abstract: De Nardi, M, Pizzigalli, L, Benis, R, Caffaro, F, and Cremasco, MM. Acute effects of partial-body cryotherapy on isometric strength: maximum handgrip strength evaluation. J Strength Cond Res 31(12): 3497-3502, 2017-The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a single partial-body cryotherapy (PBC) session on the maximum handgrip strength (JAMAR Hydraulic Hand dynamometer). Two hundred healthy adults were randomized into a PBC group and a control group (50 men and 50 women in each group). After the initial handgrip strength test (T0), the experimental group performed a 150-second session of PBC (temperature range between -130 and -160° C), whereas the control group stayed in a thermo neutral room (22.0 ± 0.5° C). Immediately after, both groups performed another handgrip strength test (T1). Data underlined that both groups showed an increase in handgrip strength values, especially the experimental group (Control: T0 = 39.48 kg, T1 = 40.01 kg; PBC: T0 = 39.61 kg, T1 = 41.34 kg). The analysis also reported a statistical effect related to gender (F = 491.99, P ≤ 0.05), with women showing lower handgrip strength values compared with men (women = 30.43 kg, men = 52.27 kg). Findings provide the first evidence that a single session of PBC leads to the improvement of muscle strength in healthy people. The results of the study imply that PBC could be performed also before a training session or a sport competition, to increase hand isometric strength.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Nardi
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Sport Sciences, SUISM, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pizzigalli
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milano, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Benis
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caffaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Micheletti Cremasco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged