Cold‐water or partial‐body cryotherapy? Comparison of physiological responses and recovery following muscle damage

The aim of this study is to compare (a) the physiological responses following cold‐water immersion ( CWI ) and partial‐body cryotherapy ( PBC ) and (b) the effects on recovery following a muscle‐damaging protocol (5 × 20 drop jumps). Nineteen healthy males were randomly allocated into either a CWI (10°C for 10 minutes; n = 9) or a PBC (−60°C for 30 seconds, −135°C for 2 minutes; n = 10) group. The physiological variables (thigh muscle oxygen saturation [SmO 2 ], cutaneous vascular conductance [ CVC ], mean arterial pressure [ MAP ], and local skin temperature) were assessed immediately prior and up to 60 minutes post‐treatment (10‐minutes intervals). The recovery variables (thigh muscle swelling, maximum voluntary contraction [ MVC ] of the right knee extensors, vertical jump performance [ VJP ], and delayed onset of muscle soreness [ DOMS ]) were measured immediately prior and up to 72 hours post‐treatment (24‐hours intervals). Compared to PBC values, CVC (at 30 minutes), SmO 2 (at 40 minutes), and lower extremity skin temperature (thigh/shin at 60 minutes) were significantly reduced in the CWI group after the treatment (all P  < .05). Only lower extremity skin temperature was significantly reduced in the PBC group directly post‐treatment (all P  < .05). MAP significantly increased in both groups after the treatments (both P  < .05). DOMS did not differ between groups. MVC and VJP returned to baseline in both groups after 24 hours ( P  > .05). CWI had a greater impact on the physiological response compared to PBC . However, both treatments resulted in similar recovery profiles during a 72‐hours follow‐up period.