Post-exercise Recovery of DOMS in Recreational Athletes

Cryosauna for Post-exercise Recovery of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) in Recreational Athletes: a Randomized Control Trial

The main goal of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cryo-sauna in preventing the development of DOMS in the lower extremity. The second goal is to analyze the rate of regenerative changes in the right muscles after acute fatigue-induced exercises.

The main goal of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cryo-sauna in preventing the development of DOMS in the lower extremity. The second goal is to analyze the rate of regenerative changes in the right muscles after acute fatigue-induced exercises. This study design was a randomized, controlled single-blind trial with repeated measures. Moreover, the design was prepared according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) for pragmatic trials. Participants were assigned into two groups: (1) experimental group (CRYO, n =16) - cryostimulation using a cryo sauna; and (2) control group (CONT, n = 15) - without any intervention. This study was conducted in the Physical Exercise Laboratory. Both groups, CRYO and CON performed a fatigue-induced protocol consisting of counter-movement jumps (CMJ) (10 set for 10 repetitions). After the fatigue exercises, only CRYO underwent cryo sauna intervention including entry immediately after, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise. The order of measurements at baseline included: blood sample testing (creatine kinase, myoglobin, leukocytes) and muscle stiffness of the lower extremity. All measurements we collected at baseline, immediately post, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours post-exercise.

Participants will be allocated to intervention (cryostimulation using cryosauna) or a control group (without any intervention) using a randomized list of allocated numbers generated by a computer program. The investigator and Outcomes Assessor will be blinded to the allocation process.

The intervention was Cryosauna - cryostimulation at -110°C for 1.5 minutes, for four consecutive days.

Stiffness [N/m] was measured on: the anterior thigh, posterior thigh, shin, and calf muscles in 23 reference points.

Inclusion Criteria: no previous experience with cryostimulation using a cryo-sauna, recreational lifestyle. Exclusion Criteria: Current or prior pain or injury in the lower extremity. Previous history of surgery in the lower extremity. Cardiovascular disabilities.

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