Exploring the Efficacy of a Safe Cryotherapy Alternative: Physiological Temperature Changes From Cold-Water Immersion Versus Prolonged Cooling of Phase-Change Material
Kwiecien SY, McHugh MP, Goodall S, Hicks KM, Hunter AM, Howatson G
International journal of sports physiology and performance · 10 citations
Review labels
Neutral facts our review recorded about how this study was done. They describe method, never whether we like the result.
How it was studied
- Design
- Randomized controlled trial (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Funding not disclosed
Publication
- Published
- 2019-04-08 · Int J Sports Physiol Perform · vol. 14 · issue 9 · pp. 1288–1296
- Publisher
- Human Kinetics
- Cited
- 14 citations · more than 82% of similar papers · 1.6× the field average
- References
- 34 works
- Access
- Open access (repository copy)
- Research areas
- Exercise and Physiological Responses · Thermoregulation and physiological responses · Thermal Regulation in Medicine
- Keywords
- Core temperature, Cryotherapy, Medicine, Skin temperature, Crossover study, Thermoregulation, Animal science, Chemistry, Surgery, Internal medicine, Biomedical engineering, Biology
6 authors
From US, GB, ZA
- Susan Y. KwiecienLenox Hill Hospital; Northumbria University
- Malachy P. McHughLenox Hill Hospital; Northumbria University
- Stuart GoodallNorthumbria University
- Kirsty Marie HicksNorthumbria University
- Angus M. HunterUniversity of Stirling
- Glyn HowatsonNorth-West University; Northumbria University
Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the effectiveness between cold-water immersion (CWI) and phase-change-material (PCM) cooling on intramuscular, core, and skin-temperature and cardiovascular responses.
Methods
In a randomized, crossover design, 11 men completed 15 min of 15°C CWI to the umbilicus and 2-h recovery or 3 h of 15°C PCM covering the quadriceps and 1 h of recovery, separated by 24 h. Vastus lateralis intramuscular temperature at 1 and 3 cm, core and skin temperature, heart-rate variability, and thermal comfort were recorded at baseline and 15-min intervals throughout treatment and recovery.
Results
Intramuscular temperature decreased (P < .001) during and after both treatments. A faster initial effect was observed from 15 min of CWI (Δ: 4.3°C [1.7°C] 1 cm; 5.5°C [2.1°C] 3 cm; P = .01). However, over time (2 h 15 min), greater effects were observed from prolonged PCM treatment (Δ: 4.2°C [1.9°C] 1 cm; 2.2°C [2.2°C] 3 cm; treatment × time, P = .0001). During the first hour of recovery from both treatments, intramuscular temperature was higher from CWI at 1 cm (P = .013) but not 3 cm. Core temperature deceased 0.25° (0.32°) from CWI (P = .001) and 0.28°C (0.27°C) from PCM (P = .0001), whereas heart-rate variability increased during both treatments (P = .001), with no differences between treatments.
Conclusions
The magnitude of temperature reduction from CWI was comparable with PCM, but intramuscular temperature was decreased for longer during PCM. PCM cooling packs offer an alternative for delivering prolonged cooling whenever application of CWI is impractical while also exerting a central effect on core temperature and heart rate.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher.
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