The Effect of Thermotherapy on Recovery and Performance

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study investigates the effects of cooling on the recovery and performance characteristic in young healthy subjects. The study is divided in two projects: Project A: investigates the effects of 20 min. post-exercise cooling on vertical jump performance and delayed onset muscle soreness and rated perceived exertion. Project B: investigates the effects of 20 min. pre-exercise cooling on maximal voluntary contraction of the right M. quadriceps femoris and delayed onset muscle soreness and rated perceived exertion.

Detailed Description
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The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a 20 min. external cooling application (+8°C ) versus a external thermo neutral application (+32°C) up to 72 hours post application. The study is divided in two projects: Project A: This study is focusing on the recovery process after a max. jump performance (3x30 counter movement jumps). Directly after the exercise subjects receive a cooling or thermo-neutral application. Recovery characteristics measured by vertical jump performance (objective) and delayed onset muscle soreness and rated perceived exertion (subjective) are measured in function of time up to 72 hours post cooling intervention. Project B: This study is focusing on the effect of 20 min. cooling or thermo-neutral application on the M. quadriceps femoris performance (MVC). After the thermo-application, the 60% endurance MVC is measured by means of surface EMG (OT Bioelettronica 10-750 Hz) in a ergometer chair 90° degrees knee flexion (Cor 1 Bioelettronica). Muscle conduction velocity, MVC (objective), delayed onset muscle soreness and rated perceived exertion (subjective) are measured in function of time up to 72 hours post thermo-application.

Official Title
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The Effect of Cryotherapy on Recovery and Performance: A Randomized Controlled Double Blind Trial

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Zamar Therapy CT clinic


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: only healthy young subjects 18-30 years no musculoskeletal surgery in trunk and lower extremities injury history in trunk and lower extremity for more than one year subjects taking anticonceptive medication are allowed to participate Exclusion Criteria: actual injuries or injuries for less than one year in trunk and /or lower extremities injury history in trunk and lower extremity for more than one year with complaints anxiety of cooling subjects on medication pace maker cardiovascular disease pregnancy skeletal problems appendectomy for less than two years Morbus Raynaud syndrome

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 30 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: cooling intervention<br>subjects in this study receive a single pre-exercise (3x MVC) or post-exercise intervention (3x 30 counter movement jumps), consisting of an external cooling application (Zamar Therapy CT clinic) applied to both thighs. Both interventions have a duration of 20 minutes and a temperature of 8°C | Device: Zamar Therapy CT clinic<br>* Zamar Therapy is a certified medical product (directive 93/42/EEC and ISO 134 85:2012) (www.zamarmedical.com)<br>|
| Sham Comparator: thermoneutral intervention<br>subjects in the control group receive a single pre-exercise (3x MVC) or post-exercise (3x 30 counter movement jumps) sham intervention, consisting of a 20 minute external thermoneutral application (Zamar Therapy CT clinic) applied to both thighs. Both sham interventions have a duration of 20 minutes and a temperature of 32°C. | Device: Zamar Therapy CT clinic<br>* Zamar Therapy is a certified medical product (directive 93/42/EEC and ISO 134 85:2012) (www.zamarmedical.com)<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The effect of a 20 minute cryotherapy application on vertical jump performance 24 hours post cold application | n= 20 subjects for objective recovery. objective recovery: vertical jump performance (best of three in cm. on just jump plate) 24 hours post cold application is evaluated | 0-24hours post cold application | 
| The effect of a 20 minute cryotherapy application on vertical jump performance 48 hours post cold application | n= 20 subjects for objective recovery. objective recovery: vertical jump performance (best of three in cm. on just jump plate) 48 hours post cold application is evaluated | 24-48 hours post cold application | 
| The effect of a 20 minute cryotherapy application on vertical jump performance 72 hours post cold application | n= 20 subjects for objective recovery. objective recovery: vertical jump performance (best of three in cm. on just jump plate) 72 hours post cold application is evaluated | 48-72 hours post cold application | 
| The effect of a 20 minute cryotherapy application on maximum voluntary contraction 24 hours post cold application | n= 20 subjects for objective performance objective performance: maximum voluntary contraction (best of three in Kg) on ergometer chair (Cor1Bioelectronica) and surface EMG (OT Bioellectronica) 24 hours post cold application is evaluated | 0-24 hours post cold application | 
| The effect of a 20 minute cryotherapy application on maximum voluntary contraction 48 hours post cold application | n= 20 subjects for objective performance objective performance: maximum voluntary contraction (best of three in Kg) on ergometer chair (Cor1Bioelectronica) and surface EMG (OT Bioellectronica) 48 hours post cold application is evaluated | 24-48 hours post cold application | 
| The effect of a 20 minute cryotherapy application on maximum voluntary 72 hours post cold application | n= 20 subjects for objective performance objective performance: maximum voluntary contraction (best of three in Kg) on ergometer chair (Cor1Bioelectronica) and surface EMG (OT Bioellectronica) 72 hours post cold application is evaluated | 48-72 hours post cold application | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The effect of a 20 minute cryotherapy application on delayed onset muscle soreness 24 hours post cold application | n= 20 subjects for subjective recovery. subjective recovery: delayed onset muscle soreness (V.A.S 0-10 cm) 24 hours post cold application is evaluated | 0-24 hours post cold application | 
| The effect of a 20 minute cryotherapy application on delayed onset muscle soreness 48 hours post cold application | n= 20 subjects for subjective recovery. subjective recovery: delayed onset muscle soreness (V.A.S 0-10 cm) 48 hours post cold application is evaluated | 24-48 hours post cold application | 
| The effect of a 20 minute cryotherapy application on delayed onset muscle 72 hours post cold application | n= 20 subjects for subjective recovery. subjective recovery: delayed onset muscle soreness (V.A.S 0-10 cm) 72 hours post cold application is evaluated | 48-72 hours post cold application | 
| The effect of a 20 minute cryotherapy application on rated perceived exertion 24 hours post cold application | n= 20 subjects for subjective recovery. subjective recovery: rated perceived exertion (Borg scale 6-20) 24 hours post cold application is evaluated | 0-24 hours post cold application | 
| The effect of a 20 minute cryotherapy application on rated perceived exertion 48 hours post cold application | n= 20 subjects for subjective recovery. subjective recovery: rated perceived exertion (Borg scale 6-20) 48 hours post cold application is evaluated | 24-48 hours post cold application | 
| The effect of a 20 minute cryotherapy application on rated perceived exertion 72 hours post cold application | n= 20 subjects for subjective recovery. subjective recovery: rated perceived exertion (Borg scale 6-20) 72 hours post cold application is evaluated | 48-72 hours post cold application | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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jump performance, cryotherapy, recovery, athletic performance, maximum voluntary contraction, rated perceived exertion, delayed onset muscle soreness