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1.
Whole-Body Cryotherapy Increases the Activity of Nitric Oxide Synthase in Older Men.
Wiecek, M, Szygula, Z, Gradek, J, Kusmierczyk, J, Szymura, J
Biomolecules. 2021;(7)
Abstract
Aging causes oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and a reduction in the bioavailability of nitric oxide. The study aim was to determine whether, as a result of repeated whole-body exposure to cryogenic temperature (3 min -130 °C), there is an increase of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) concentration in senior subjects (59 ± 6 years), and if this effect is stronger in athletes. In 10 long-distance runners (RUN) and 10 untraining (UTR) men, 24 whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) procedures were performed. Prior to WBC, after 12th and 24th treatments and 7 days later, the concentration of iNOS, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NTR), homocysteine (HCY), C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukins such as: IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10 were measured. In the RUN and UTR groups, after 24 WBC, iNOS concentration was found to be comparable and significantly higher (F = 5.95, p < 0.01) (large clinical effect size) compared to before 1st WBC and after 12th WBC sessions. There were no changes in the concentration of the remaining markers as a result of WBC (p > 0.05). As a result of applying 24 WBC treatments, using the every-other-day model, iNOS concentration increased in the group of older men, regardless of their physical activity level. Along with this increase, there were no changes in nitro-oxidative stress or inflammation marker levels.
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2.
Effects of whole-body cryotherapy on 25-hydroxyvitamin D, irisin, myostatin, and interleukin-6 levels in healthy young men of different fitness levels.
Śliwicka, E, Cisoń, T, Straburzyńska-Lupa, A, Pilaczyńska-Szcześniak, Ł
Scientific reports. 2020;(1):6175
Abstract
Skeletal muscle and adipose tissue play an important role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and thermogenesis. We aimed to investigate the effects of single and repeated exposure to whole-body cryotherapy in volunteers with different physical fitness levels on 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and myokines. The study included 22 healthy male volunteers (mean age: 21 ± 1.17 years), who underwent 10 consecutive sessions in a cryogenic chamber once daily (3 minutes, -110 °C). Blood samples were collected before and 30 minutes and 24 hours after the first and last cryotherapy sessions. Prior to treatment, body composition and physical fitness levels were measured. After 10 cryotherapy treatments, significant changes were found in myostatin concentrations in the low physical fitness level (LPhL) group. The 25(OH)D levels were increased in the high physical fitness level (HPhL) group and decreased in the LPhL group. The HPhL group had significant changes in the level of high-sensitivity interleukin-6 after the first treatment. The LPhL group had significant changes in 25(OH)D, irisin, and myostatin levels after the tenth treatment. Our data demonstrated that in healthy young men, cryotherapy affects 25(OH)D levels, but they were small and transient. The body's response to a series of 10 cryotherapy treatments is modified by physical fitness level.
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3.
The use of thermal imaging to assess the effectiveness of ice massage and cold-water immersion as methods for supporting post-exercise recovery.
Adamczyk, JG, Krasowska, I, Boguszewski, D, Reaburn, P
Journal of thermal biology. 2016;:20-5
Abstract
Cold water immersion (CWI) and ice massage (IM) are commonly used treatments to prevent the delay onset of muscle soreness (DOMS); however, little is known on their relative benefits and effectiveness to lower tissue temperature. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of IM and CMI on tissue temperature and potential benefit to preventing DOMS. The research encompassed 36 subjects divided into three groups of twelve depending on the form of recovery: ice massage (IM), cold-water immersion (CWI), or passive recovery (PAS). All the participants were asked to jump as high as possible from a full squat for one minute. Thermal imaging was conducted at rest, immediately following the exercise, immediately after the trial, following the recovery treatment, and after 30min of rest. Their pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). After applying the selected method for supporting recovery, the LA level decreased by 4.25mmol/L in the IM group, and by 4.96mmol/L in the CWI group (IM vs. CWI p>0.05). The 2.75mmol/L decrease in lactate concentration in the PAS group was significantly lower than in the other groups (IM vs. PAS p<0.05/ CWI vs. PAS p<0.01). In both groups, Tsk after 30min was significantly lower (ΔTsk~0.5°C) than at rest (p<0.05). In turn, Tsk in the PAS group returned to the resting values (p>0.05). Seventy-two hours after the exercise, a clear decrease in discomfort was observed in the IM and CWI groups compared to the PAS group. The two applied treatments have proven to be effective both in utilizing lactate and preventing DOMS. Depending on training requirements, we recommend the use of IM when athletes experience localized muscle fatigue. One the other hand, CWI is recommended in situations of global or generalized muscle injury or fatigue.
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4.
Effectiveness of cold water immersion for treating exertional heat stress when immediate response is not possible.
Flouris, AD, Friesen, BJ, Carlson, MJ, Casa, DJ, Kenny, GP
Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports. 2015;:229-39
Abstract
Immediate treatment with cold water immersion (CWI) is the gold standard for exertional heatstroke. In the field, however, treatment is often delayed due to delayed paramedic response and/or inaccurate diagnosis. We examined the effect of treatment (reduction of rectal temperature to 37.5 °C) delays of 5, 20, and 40 min on core cooling rates in eight exertionally heat-stressed (40.0 °C rectal temperature) individuals. We found that rectal temperature was elevated above baseline (P < 0.05) at the end of all delay periods (5 min: 40.08 ± 0.32; 20 min: 39.92 ± 0.40; 40 min: 39.57 ± 0.29 °C). Mean arterial pressure was reduced (P < 0.05) below baseline (92 ± 1.8 mm Hg) after all delay periods (5 min: 75 ± 2.6; 20 min: 74 ± 1.7; 40 min: 70 ± 2.1 mm Hg; P > 0.05). Rectal core cooling rates were similar among conditions (5 min: 0.20 ± 0.01; 20 min: 0.17 ± 0.02; 40 min: 0.17 ± 0.01 °C/min; P > 0.05). The rectal temperature afterdrop following CWI was similar across conditions (5 min: 35.95; 20 min: 35.61; 40 min: 35.87 °C; P > 0.05). We conclude that the effectiveness of 2 °C CWI as a treatment for exertional heat stress remains high even when applied with a delay of 40 min. Therefore, our results support that CWI is the most appropriate treatment for exertional heatstroke as it is capable of quickly reversing hyperthermia even when treatment is commenced with a significant delay.
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5.
The whole body cryostimulation modifies irisin concentration and reduces inflammation in middle aged, obese men.
Dulian, K, Laskowski, R, Grzywacz, T, Kujach, S, Flis, DJ, Smaruj, M, Ziemann, E
Cryobiology. 2015;(3):398-404
Abstract
The anti-inflammatory effect induced by exposure to low temperature might trigger the endocrine function of muscle and fat tissue. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the whole body cryostimulation (CRY) on irisin, a myokine which activates oxygen consumption in fat cells as well as thermogenesis. In addition, the relationship between hepcidin (Hpc) - hormone regulating iron metabolism, and inflammation was studied. A group of middle aged men (n = 12, 38 ± 9 years old, BMI > 30 kg m(-2)) participated in the study. Subjects were exposed to a series of 10 sessions in a cryogenic chamber (once a day at 9:30 am, for 3 min, at temperature -110 °C). Blood samples were collected before the first cryostimulation and after completing the last one. Prior to treatment body composition and fitness level were determined. The applied protocol of cryostimulation lead to rise the blood irisin in obese non-active men (338.8 ± 42.2 vs 407.6 ± 118.5 ng mL(-1)), whereas has no effect in obese active men (371.5 ± 30.0 vs 343.3 ± 47.6 ng mL(-1)). Values recorded 24 h after the last cryo-session correlated significantly with the fat tissue, yet inversely with the skeletal muscle mass. Therefore, we concluded the subcutaneous fat tissue to be the main source of irisin in response to cold exposures. The applied cold treatment reduced the high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and Hpc concentration confirming its anti-inflammatory effect.
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6.
Acute effects of whole-body cryotherapy on sit-and-reach amplitude in women and men.
De Nardi, M, La Torre, A, Benis, R, Sarabon, N, Fonda, B
Cryobiology. 2015;(3):511-3
Abstract
Flexibility is an intrinsic property of body tissues, which among other factors determines the range of motion (ROM). A decrease in neural activation of the muscle has been linked with greater ROM. Cryotherapy is an effective technique to reduces neural activation. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate if a single session of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) affects ROM. 60 women and 60 men were divided into two groups (control and experimental). After the initial sit-and-reach test, experimental group performed a 150 s session of WBC, whereas the control group stayed in thermo-neutral environment. Immediately after, both groups performed another sit-and-reach test. A 3-way analysis of variance revealed statistically significant time×group and time × gender interaction. Experimental groups improved sit-and-reach amplitude to a greater extend than the control group. Our results support the hypothesis that ROM is increased immediately after a single session of WBC.
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7.
Icing and multilayering technique of injectable hydroxyapatite cement paste for cranial base reconstruction after transsphenoidal surgery: technical note.
Kitano, M, Taneda, M
Neurosurgery. 2007;(3 Suppl):E53-4; discussion E54
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Injectable hydroxyapatite cement (HAC, Biopex; Mitsubishi Pharma Corp., Osaka, Japan) can reconstruct the accurate contour of bone defects intraoperatively, and it is slowly replaced with bone by a process of resorption and osteoconduction, making it a useful substrate for the repair of cranial defects. In the operative site with continuous oozing of the cerebrospinal fluid, however, the implanted HAC may be dissolved and washed out as a result of its water solubility during the setting time. For successful reconstruction of cranial defects in such wet situations, we describe a new technique to reinforce the implanted HAC with a multilayered application. METHODS As a preliminary experiment, we observed that the setting process of the HAC was severely restricted by the environmental temperature. At a temperature of 5 degrees C, the initial setting time of the HAC could be extended to 10 hours after the beginning of the mixing of the HAC. Bone defects of the sellar floor after transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngiomas, meningiomas, or suprasellar arachnoid cysts were reconstructed using the HAC in 55 patients during a 5-year period. The results and complications were obtained through retrospective review. RESULTS Ninety-eight percent of bone defects were successfully repaired using the HAC, and the reconstruction remained stable over the course of this study. There was one case of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Wound infection occurred in one patient, which required reoperation and removal of the biomaterial. CONCLUSION The icing and multilayering method for proper use of this biomaterial resulted in restoration of the integrity of the cranial base bone and a decrease of cerebrospinal fluid leakage as a postoperative complication of transsphenoidal surgery. HAC is a biomaterial that is recommended to be used as the primary method for reconstructing cranial base bone defects.
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8.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study to assess the value of free radical scavengers in reducing inflammation induced by cryotherapy.
Gach, JE, Humphreys, F, Berth-Jones, J
Clinical and experimental dermatology. 2005;(1):14-6
Abstract
The inflammation which follows cryotherapy is a significant disadvantage of this therapeutic modality. To date, the only treatment shown to reduce this inflammation is application of topical corticoids. We have therefore conducted a pilot study to investigate whether pretreatment with the free radical scavengers, vitamins C and E might alleviate the signs and symptoms of inflammation following liquid nitrogen cryotherapy of common warts. We undertook a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study. We recruited 40 adult patients, of whom 38 returned for evaluation. Treatments comprised vitamin C (2000 mg) and vitamin E (800 IU) daily or matching placebo for 7 days prior to cryotherapy to a hand wart. Oedema volume, erythema level, pain intensity and the presence or absence of blistering were assessed 24 h after cryotherapy. There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups in any of the parameters assessed. This study yielded no suggestion of benefit from the use of pretreatment with free radical scavengers in conjunction with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy.
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9.
Thermal sensation and comfort in women exposed repeatedly to whole-body cryotherapy and winter swimming in ice-cold water.
Smolander, J, Mikkelsson, M, Oksa, J, Westerlund, T, Leppäluoto, J, Huttunen, P
Physiology & behavior. 2004;(4):691-5
Abstract
Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC; -110 degrees C) and winter swimming (WS) in ice-cold water are severe ambient cold exposures, which are voluntarily practiced by humans in minimal clothing. The purpose was to examine thermal sensation and thermal comfort associated with WBC and WS. Twenty women similar in body mass index, age, physical activity, and use of hormonal contraception were pairwise randomized either to the WBC group or the WS group. The duration of each WBC exposure was 2 min, which was repeated three times per week for 3 months (13 weeks). Similar exposure frequency was used for the WS group, but each exposure lasted 20 s in outdoor conditions. Thermal sensation and comfort were asked with standard scales. After WBC, 65% of the thermal sensation votes were 'neutral' or 'slightly cool.' After WS, 81% of the thermal sensation votes were 'warm,' 'neutral,' or 'slightly cool.' Majority of comfort votes immediately after exposures in WBC group (98%) and in the WS group (93%) were 'comfortable' or 'slightly uncomfortable.' Thermal sensation and comfort became habituated in both groups at an early stage of trials, but the changes were less conclusive in WS group due to variable conditions outdoors. In the WBC group, cold sensation was less intense already after the second exposure. In conclusion, repeated exposures to WBC and WS in healthy women were mostly well tolerated and comfortable. The results indicate that during repeated severe whole-body cold stress of short duration, thermal sensation and comfort become habituated during the first exposures.
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10.
Ice massage. Effects on exercise-induced muscle damage.
Howatson, G, Van Someren, KA
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness. 2003;(4):500-5
Abstract
AIM: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ice massage on the signs and symptoms associated with exercise-induced muscle damage. METHODS Nine recreationally resistance trained males performed an exercise protocol designed to induce muscle damage on 2 separate occasions; this was performed on the dominant or non-dominant arm in a random cross over design. The protocol consisted of 3 sets of 10 repetitions of single arm biceps curls, at 70% of a pre-determined one repetition maximum (1RM), with the eccentric phase of the contraction extended to 7 seconds. Subjects were also randomly assigned to an ice massage group or control group in the cross over design and received treatments immediately post-exercise, 24 hours and 48 hours post-exercise. 1RM, plasma creatine kinase (CK), muscle soreness (DOMS), limb girth and range of motion (ROM) were measured pre, immediately post, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post-exercise. RESULTS Significant time effects were observed for all dependent variables (p<0.05), though no significant group effects were observed. A group by time interaction was found for CK (p<0.05), which at 72 hours post-exercise was significantly lower in the ice massage group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION These results indicate that although ice massage reduces the appearance of CK it has no other effect on signs and symptoms associated with exercise-induced muscle damage.