Full Body Cryotherapy Protocol
The recommended protocol for full body cryotherapy (FBC) involves exposure to extremely cold air (-110°C or less) for a duration of 1-3 minutes, with 150 seconds being the optimal duration as longer sessions do not provide additional benefits but increase thermal discomfort. 1
Temperature and Duration Parameters
- FBC treatments typically expose minimally dressed participants to very cold air (below -110°C) in a specially designed chamber (cryo-chamber) or cabin (cryo-cabin) 2
- The optimal duration for a single FBC session in a cryo-cabin is 150 seconds, as research shows no significant additional skin temperature reduction between 150 and 180 seconds 1
- For cryo-chambers, the recommended exposure time is also 150 seconds, though empirical evidence specifically for chambers is more limited 1
Safety Precautions and Monitoring
- Vital signs monitoring is essential during FBC treatment, though research shows no significant alterations in blood pressure or heart rate in adult patients with non-pathological baseline values 3
- Individual monitoring of subjects is strongly recommended throughout the treatment to identify any adverse reactions 3
- Thermal discomfort displays a linear increase throughout the session, making longer exposures (>150s) unnecessary and potentially more uncomfortable 1
- Risk of frostbite injuries exists with FBC, with documented cases requiring medical intervention including partial and full-thickness injuries 4
Clothing and Preparation
- Participants should wear minimal clothing during the procedure, typically consisting of shorts for men and shorts/sports bra for women 2
- Extremities should be protected with gloves, socks, and footwear to prevent cold injuries 2
- All jewelry, moisture, and metal should be removed before entering the chamber 2
Treatment Frequency and Application
- While there is heterogeneity in protocols reported in scientific literature, most therapeutic applications involve repeated exposures rather than single sessions 2
- The primary benefit of cryotherapy in humans is reduced pain following injury or soreness following exercise 5
- FBC should be considered when rapid recovery is required between exercise bouts, rather than after routine training, as chronic use during resistance training may blunt anabolic training effects 5
Contraindications
- FBC should be avoided in patients with severe cardiovascular conditions, although studies show that it appears safe regarding blood pressure and heart rate parameters for most adults 3
- Those with cold hypersensitivity, Raynaud's phenomenon, cryoglobulinemia, or open wounds should avoid FBC 2
- Special caution should be exercised with children, elderly patients, and those with compromised thermoregulatory systems 2
Clinical Application Considerations
- Despite increasing popularity, there is limited evidence supporting claimed benefits such as reduced inflammation and expedited muscle recovery 4
- The effectiveness of cryotherapy depends on its ability to maintain reduced muscle temperature and on the timing of treatment relative to when injury occurred or exercise ceased 5
- For optimal results in treating exercise-induced muscle damage, cryotherapy should be applied abundantly within the first few hours after structural damage occurs 5