# Whole-body cryotherapy does not augment adaptations to high-intensity interval training

PMID: 31427654
Journal: Scientific reports
Published: 2019 Aug 19
Authors: Broatch JR, Poignard M, Hausswirth C, Bishop DJ, Bieuzen F

## Question

Does repeated whole-body cryotherapy after cycling HIT augment endurance and physiological adaptations compared with passive seated rest?

## Summary

In trained male cyclists and triathletes, adding 3 minutes of whole-body cryotherapy after cycling intervals did not improve training adaptations beyond the interval training itself.

## Population

- Healthy well-trained or recreational male cyclists and triathletes.
- Sample size: 22
- Sex: male only
- Fitness level: cyclists/triathletes training at least 6 h/week
- Health status: screened for cardiovascular risk and cryotherapy contraindications

## Methodology

- randomized/counterbalanced parallel training intervention
- 4 weeks
- independent cycling training with uploaded power/GPS files; laboratory cryotherapy or rest after sessions
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Cycling HIT plus whole-body cryotherapy.
- Modality: cycling.
- Work intervals: 60% of baseline Tmax, mean 172.8 +/- 32.8 s.
- Recovery: 1:2 work:rest ratio, about 345.6 s mean recovery.
- Sets or repetitions: 8 intervals.
- Intensity: workload equal to baseline Ppeak.
- Session duration: interval duration individualized; post-session WBC lasted 3 min about 15 min after training.
- Frequency: 12 HIT sessions over 4 weeks.
- Program length: 4 weeks.
- Progression: same prescribed interval structure across intervention.
- Cycling HIT plus passive rest.
- Modality: cycling.
- Work intervals: same as intervention.
- Recovery: same as intervention.
- Sets or repetitions: 8 intervals.
- Intensity: same Ppeak-based workload.
- Session duration: same HIT; 3 min seated rest at 23 C about 15 min after training.
- Frequency: 12 sessions over 4 weeks.
- Program length: 4 weeks.
- Progression: same training prescription.

## Outcomes

### Ppeak
Status: improved
Peak power improved over time in both groups with no added cryotherapy effect.

CON +6.3 +/- 3.7%; WBC +5.9 +/- 4.9%; condition interaction p=0.988

### VO2peak
Status: improved
VO2peak improved over time, but whole-body cryotherapy did not augment the response.

CON +5.0 +/- 5.6%; WBC +8.0 +/- 7.9%; interaction p=0.402

### 20 km power
Status: improved
Time-trial mean power improved similarly in both groups.

CON +8.4 +/- 7.0%; WBC +6.9 +/- 7.5%; time p=0.002; interaction for power p=0.644

### Recovery markers
Status: no clear change
Basal stress hormones and sleep did not show meaningful cryotherapy-related changes.

No WBC interactions for basal adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, or sleep outcomes

## Practical Insights

- The cycling HIT dose improved fitness and time-trial power in trained men.
- Post-session whole-body cryotherapy should not be presented as a necessary enhancer of HIT adaptation.
- Independent training was feasible when investigators monitored uploaded power/GPS files.

## Limitations

- Small male endurance-athlete sample.
- Two participants began but dropped out because of availability/training sessions.
- No muscle biopsies or mitochondrial protein outcomes.
- The 3 min cryotherapy dose may not represent all cold-exposure protocols.

## Safety And Adherence

- Participants were screened and medically cleared for WBC; two began but dropped due availability/training sessions, not reported as adverse events.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31427654/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-48518-1) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6700067/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.