The Effect of Thermotherapy on Recovery and Performance (Cryotherapy)

September 30, 2025 updated by: University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland

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

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.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

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.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
22

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Switzerland
    • Kanton Graubünden
      • Landquart, Kanton Graubünden, Switzerland, 7302
        • University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland SUPSI

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 30 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

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

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: cooling intervention
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
Zamar Therapy is a certified medical product (directive 93/42/EEC and ISO 134 85:2012) (www.zamarmedical.com)
Sham Comparator: thermoneutral intervention
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
Zamar Therapy is a certified medical product (directive 93/42/EEC and ISO 134 85:2012) (www.zamarmedical.com)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Delayed-onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
Time Frame: 72 hours
The subjective recovery characteristics "Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS)" was rated on a 0-10 cm visual analog scale. DOMS was assessed in a squat position (90° knee angle, with brief holding of maximum 3 seconds) ranging from zero (no soreness) to ten (severe soreness). Higher values mean mean more DOMS and therefore less recovery.
72 hours
Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Time Frame: 72 hours
The subjective recovery characteristics " Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE)" was rated on a 6-20 Borg scale (from 6 = "no exertion at all" to 20 = "Maximal exertion") in a standing position. The higher value means more exertion and therefore less recovery.
72 hours
Vertical Jump Performance (VJP)
Time Frame: 72 hours
Vertical jump performance (VJP) was assessed performing three maximal counter mouvemet jumps (CMJs) with a 30-second pause between the three jumps on the Just Jump system (Probotics Inc, Huntsville, AL, USA). The highest jump was recorded.
72 hours
Peak Power Output (PPO)
Time Frame: 72 hours
Peak power output (PPO) was assessed performing three maximal counter movement jumps (CMJs) on the Just Jump system (Probotics Inc, Huntsville, AL, USA) with a 30-second pause between the three jumps. PPO (presented in watts) was calculated.
72 hours

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
The effect of a 20 minute cryotherapy application on delayed onset muscle soreness 24 hours post cold application
Time Frame: 0-24 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
Time Frame: 24-48 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
Time Frame: 48-72 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
Time Frame: 0-24 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
Time Frame: 24-48 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
Time Frame: 48-72 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

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Universiteit Antwerpen
THIM - die internationale Hochschule für Physiotherapie

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Ron Clijsen, PhD, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland SUPSI

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
May 1, 2015

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 1, 2018

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 1, 2019

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
May 27, 2015

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 21, 2015

First Posted (Estimated)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
July 23, 2015

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
October 20, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 30, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • KEK-ZH-Nr.2015-0113

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