Acute effects of partial-body cryotherapy on isometric strength: maximum handgrip strength evaluation

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a single partial-body cryotherapy (PBC) session on the maximum handgrip strength (JAMAR Hydraulic Hand dynamometer). Two hundred healthy adults were randomized into a PBC group and a control group (50 males and 50 females in each group). After the initial handgrip strength test (T0), the experimental group performed a 150 seconds session of PBC (temperature range between -130 and -160 °C), whilst the control group stayed in a thermo neutral room (22.0 ± 0.5 °C). Immediately after, both groups performed another handgrip strength test (T1). Data underlined that both groups showed an increase in handgrip strength values, especially the experimental group (Control: T0=39.48 kg, T1=40.01 kg; PBC: T0=39.61 kg, T1=41.34 kg). The analysis reported also a significant effect related to gender (F=491.99, P<0.05), with females showing lower handgrip strength values compared with males (females=30.43 kg, males=52.27 kg). Findings provide the first evidence that a single session of PBC leads to the improvement of muscle strength in healthy people. The results of the study implies that PBC could be performed also before a training session or a sport competition, to increase hand isometric strength.