Effects of combining cold exposure and compression on muscle recovery: a randomized crossover study
IntroductionThe study aimed to evaluate the effects of combining lower-limb cold exposure and intermittent compression on optimizing post-exercise recovery.MethodsFifteen male recreational athletes were recruited for a randomized crossover study comparing two recovery strategies: cryocompression and...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Physiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1598075/full |
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| author | G. Millour G. Millour R. Lepers A. Coste C. Hausswirth C. Hausswirth |
| author_facet | G. Millour G. Millour R. Lepers A. Coste C. Hausswirth C. Hausswirth |
| author_sort | G. Millour |
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| description | IntroductionThe study aimed to evaluate the effects of combining lower-limb cold exposure and intermittent compression on optimizing post-exercise recovery.MethodsFifteen male recreational athletes were recruited for a randomized crossover study comparing two recovery strategies: cryocompression and passive recovery, both applied in a supine position for 30 min. These interventions followed a high-intensity plyometric exercise and were repeated over the subsequent 2 days. Performance metrics included counter movement jumps and squat jumps, 30-s Wingate cycling test, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force of knee extensors, prolonged low-frequency force depression (PLFFD), inflammatory markers, and subjective assessments of muscle soreness and heaviness. Measurements were taken at four time points: pre-exercise, immediately post-recovery, 24 h post, and 48 h post.ResultsCryocompression significantly accelerated muscle recovery by reducing PLFFD and inflammation markers (salivary interleukin-1 beta and thigh circumference), while enhancing performance during MVC. Furthermore, perceived lower-limb heaviness, muscle soreness, and body pain decreased more rapidly with cryocompression at 24- and 48-h post-recovery. However, no significant differences were observed between the recovery strategies in cycling or jumping performance.DiscussionThese findings underscore cryocompression as a promising recovery strategy for athletes seeking to mitigate exercise-induced muscle damage and restore performance. Further research is warranted to investigate the applicability of these results across diverse athletic populations. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-042X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Physiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-68c0d2013ef84b2d909c7c9039babf622025-08-20T03:25:26ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2025-06-011610.3389/fphys.2025.15980751598075Effects of combining cold exposure and compression on muscle recovery: a randomized crossover studyG. Millour0G. Millour1R. Lepers2A. Coste3C. Hausswirth4C. Hausswirth5beScored Institute, Sophia-Antipolis, FranceLaboratoire Motricité, Interactions, Performance, MIP, UR 4334, Nantes Université, Nantes, FranceUniversité Bourgogne Europe, Inserm, CAPS UMR 1093, Dijon, FrancebeScored Institute, Sophia-Antipolis, FrancebeScored Institute, Sophia-Antipolis, FranceUniversité Bourgogne Europe, Inserm, CAPS UMR 1093, Dijon, FranceIntroductionThe study aimed to evaluate the effects of combining lower-limb cold exposure and intermittent compression on optimizing post-exercise recovery.MethodsFifteen male recreational athletes were recruited for a randomized crossover study comparing two recovery strategies: cryocompression and passive recovery, both applied in a supine position for 30 min. These interventions followed a high-intensity plyometric exercise and were repeated over the subsequent 2 days. Performance metrics included counter movement jumps and squat jumps, 30-s Wingate cycling test, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force of knee extensors, prolonged low-frequency force depression (PLFFD), inflammatory markers, and subjective assessments of muscle soreness and heaviness. Measurements were taken at four time points: pre-exercise, immediately post-recovery, 24 h post, and 48 h post.ResultsCryocompression significantly accelerated muscle recovery by reducing PLFFD and inflammation markers (salivary interleukin-1 beta and thigh circumference), while enhancing performance during MVC. Furthermore, perceived lower-limb heaviness, muscle soreness, and body pain decreased more rapidly with cryocompression at 24- and 48-h post-recovery. However, no significant differences were observed between the recovery strategies in cycling or jumping performance.DiscussionThese findings underscore cryocompression as a promising recovery strategy for athletes seeking to mitigate exercise-induced muscle damage and restore performance. Further research is warranted to investigate the applicability of these results across diverse athletic populations.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1598075/fullcryotherapyintermittent compressioninflammationmuscle fatiguesports performance |
| spellingShingle | G. Millour G. Millour R. Lepers A. Coste C. Hausswirth C. Hausswirth Effects of combining cold exposure and compression on muscle recovery: a randomized crossover study Frontiers in Physiology cryotherapy intermittent compression inflammation muscle fatigue sports performance |
| title | Effects of combining cold exposure and compression on muscle recovery: a randomized crossover study |
| title_full | Effects of combining cold exposure and compression on muscle recovery: a randomized crossover study |
| title_fullStr | Effects of combining cold exposure and compression on muscle recovery: a randomized crossover study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of combining cold exposure and compression on muscle recovery: a randomized crossover study |
| title_short | Effects of combining cold exposure and compression on muscle recovery: a randomized crossover study |
| title_sort | effects of combining cold exposure and compression on muscle recovery a randomized crossover study |
| topic | cryotherapy intermittent compression inflammation muscle fatigue sports performance |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1598075/full |
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