Sports teams utilize whole-body cryotherapy to aid athletes in recovering physically after each match. But how does this method work, and is it truly effective?
English players line up in front of a mobile truck to undergo treatment with cryotherapy. Those who have completed the 150-second treatment appear more refreshed.
“Physically, I always feel better. I’m not sure if it helps with mental recovery through cooling, but I always feel really invigorated,” midfielder Jude Bellingham stated.
Whole-Body Cryotherapy (WBC) involves exposing the entire body to extremely cold temperatures, typically ranging from -200°F to -250°F (-130°C to -150°C) for about 2-3 minutes. During a WBC session, players usually wear only shorts, possibly donning gloves and masks, and stand inside a chamber where the temperature is rapidly lowered.
Fitness Issues at EURO
Cryotherapy is praised as a tool to help athletes recover quickly, reducing muscle inflammation and soreness. WBC is believed to shorten injury recovery time and enhance players’ muscle strength and energy.
According to the manufacturer CryoLabs, this method has been “proven to kickstart the recovery process after training.” “These treatments stimulate blood circulation, reduce swelling, and alleviate muscle pain, allowing you to quickly regain your competitive form.”
At EURO 2024, coach Gareth Southgate acknowledged that the England team faced “limitations” in terms of fitness that prevented them from executing high pressing. While sleep and nutrition are considered key factors in helping players recover between matches, whole-body cryotherapy has also been applied to 26 players over the past three weeks.
Cryotherapy chamber aids athletes in recovery.
The truck carrying the cryotherapy chamber traveled 1,126 km from Poole, Dorset, to the resort in Blankenhain, where the England team is training.
In addition to the England team, the Spanish national team is also using WBC to help players recover after each match at this year’s EURO.
Cryotherapy first appeared in rugby before spreading to other sports.
In football, this method is becoming increasingly popular and is gradually replacing traditional ice baths, where players immerse themselves in ice water for 10-20 minutes to alleviate muscle soreness post-match. Many major clubs in Europe, such as Manchester City and Liverpool, have also adopted this therapy, hoping for quicker recovery for players amid a busy fixture schedule in recent years.
Compared to ice baths, whole-body cryotherapy is more expensive but faster, more effective, convenient, and comfortable.
More Research Needed
However, Dr. James Malone, a senior lecturer in sports science at Liverpool Hope University, believes that more research is needed on the long-term effects of WBC. According to Malone, WBC should not be “mythologized,” and the regular use of this extreme cold treatment needs to be re-evaluated.
For nearly two seasons, Malone has been monitoring a group of 16 Premier League players. Although the players were divided into three groups—exposed to low, medium, and high temperatures of the cryotherapy chamber—there was no significant difference in the players’ recovery rates.
Dr. Malone stated that the motto “the more, the better” may not apply to WBC, as higher doses do not provide any additional benefits.
Whole-body cryotherapy is favored in the sports community.
Whole-body cryotherapy is not FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved because cryotherapy chambers are not classified as medical devices, and this method does not treat any medical conditions. Prolonged exposure to low temperatures can lead to frostbite. Pregnant individuals or those with high blood pressure are advised against using this therapy.
“Cryotherapy will definitely shock you and increase adrenaline (a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and released into the blood, affecting the sympathetic nervous system). But medically, it makes no sense,” said Houman Danesh, a pain management specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Joe Costello, a senior research associate in sports medicine at the University of Portsmouth, added: “There is very little evidence supporting the effectiveness of WBC.”
A 2014 study, co-authored by Costello, concluded that whole-body cryotherapy “causes a temperature reduction in tissues equivalent to or less than traditional cooling methods,” including ice packs or cold water immersion.
A 2007 study found that athletes who took cold baths after running experienced less soreness, but it did not reduce muscle damage.
“Whole-body cryotherapy also does not follow a clear protocol regarding optimal timing and ideal chamber temperature, as research is still lacking. I’m not saying it’s ineffective. What I mean is that more scientific evidence is needed,” Costello stated.
