Retrospective analysis of whole-body cryotherapy adverse effects in Division I collegiate athletes
Kelly EA, Forootan NS, Checketts JX, Frank A, Tangen CL
Journal of osteopathic medicine · 0 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
- Cross-sectional study (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Funding not disclosed
Publication
- Published
- 2023-03-16 · J Osteopath Med · vol. 123 · issue 5 · pp. 249–257
- Publisher
- De Gruyter
- Cited
- 5 citations · more than 64% of similar papers · 0.5× the field average
- References
- 29 works
- Access
- Open access (hybrid journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Exercise and Physiological Responses · Sports injuries and prevention · Thermoregulation and physiological responses
- Keywords
- Athletes, Basketball, Context (archaeology), Medicine, Cryotherapy, Physical therapy, Adverse effect, Field hockey, Football, Family medicine, Psychology, Internal medicine, Surgery
- MeSH
- humans, exanthema, athletic injuries, cryotherapy, incidence, retrospective studies, adolescent, adult, female, male, athletes
5 authors
From US
- Emily Kelly · correspondingLake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Nazilla Seyed Forootan
- Jake Xavier CheckettsOklahoma State University Medical Center
- Austin C. FrankKent State University
- Christopher L. Tangen
Abstract
Context
Although the physiological effects and the performance of athletes after utilizing whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) have been widely studied, there is a lack of data on its adverse effects. It is important to be aware of the adverse effects of any treatment for its use to be properly recommended.
Objectives
This study aims to provide insight to any adverse effects that collegiate athletes experienced after utilizing WBC to better utilize this therapeutic modality.
Methods
After the Institutional Review Board (IRB) deemed exemption, all 457 Division 1-A varsity athletes were recruited via email to participate in a retrospective survey. Participants consented to the study by continuing to the questions. The inclusion criteria were that they must be 18 years of age or older, had completed WBC at that university, and were a student-athlete. The survey was six questions long, and if any of the inclusion criteria was not met, they were redirected to end the survey. The data were analyzed utilizing odds ratios.
Results
Of the 457 student-athletes, 11.2% (n=51) responded and 6.3% (n=29) met the inclusion criteria. Responses were obtained from women's lacrosse (27.6%; n=8), women's gymnastics (24.1%, n=7), field hockey (17.2%, n=5), wrestling (6.9%, n=2), football (6.9%, n=2), women's cross country (3.5%, n=1), men's basketball (3.5%, n=1), women's volleyball (3.5%, n=1), softball (3.5%, n=1), and baseball (3.5%, n=1). Among the responses, 79.3% (n=23) were females and 29.7% (n=6) were males. Within 1 h of WBC, the most frequently reported adverse effects were skin rash (27.6%, n=8), itching (13.8%, n=4), and fatigue (6.9%, n=2). More than 1 h after WBC, the most frequently reported adverse effects were skin rash (20.7%, n=6), itching (10.3%, n=3), and increased energy (6.9%, n=2). When stratified by female and male athletes, for both within 1 h and more than 1 h after WBC, there were increased odds for females reporting adverse effects; however, neither were statistically significant (OR 4.58, p=0.19, 95% CI 0.46 to 45.61) (OR 3.84, p=0.25, 95% CI 0.39 to 38.36). Within 1 h of WBC, 58.6% (n=17) of subjects reported no adverse effects, and more than 1 h after WBC, 65.5% (n=19) subjects reported no adverse effects. The mean satisfaction level rating was 6.34 (range 0-10, n=29). When asked if they would do WBC again, 65.5% (n=19) responded "yes" and 34.5% (n=10) responded "no."
Conclusions
In this collegiate athlete population, negative adverse effects of WBC commonly included skin burns and itching while potentially proving a beneficial adverse effect of increased energy. Subjects commonly reported no adverse effects after WBC treatment as well.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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