Background: Systemic cryotherapy has broad effects on the human body. These include improved immunity, accelerated tissue regeneration, activation of thermoregulatory mechanisms, analgesic effects, and reduced muscle tension and spasticity without compromising strength. Aim of the study: To evaluate the effect of systemic cryotherapy on physical fitness. Material and methods: The 43 participants (42 – 53 years of age) underwent 10 daily treatments in a nitrogen cryochamber over two consecutive weeks. Each cryochamber treatment lasted for 3 minutes at -130°C. Physical fitness was tested before and after the cryochamber treatment course using elements of three physical testing methods (a functional movement screen, a TKKF physical fitness test and a general fitness test). Results: After cryotherapy, there was a visible improvement in the first four exercises of the fitness test with fewer participants feeling pain during movement, and more able to perform the exercises correctly or perfectly. For the remaining three exercises, the changes occurred in fewer subjects and to a lesser extent. Conclusions: Systemic cryotherapy was associated with improved physical fitness. It can be used to help increase overall physical fitness as a complementary and supportive process.
The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of cryogenic temperatures used for whole-body cryotherapy on inflammatory markers in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and healthy volunteers. The study involved 32 male persons: 16 patients with AS and 16 healthy volunteers. All subjects were exposed to a cycle of 10 daily procedures of whole-body cryotherapy at a temperature of -120°C lasting 2 minutes with subsequent kinesitherapy. In both groups, before and after a cycle of whole-body cryotherapy with subsequent kinesitherapy, serum C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, mucoprotein, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were estimated. The results of this study indicate that cryogenic temperatures used for whole-body cryotherapy decrease the levels of inflammatory markers both in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and healthy volunteers.