The Influence of Whole-body Cryotherapy or Winter Swimming on the Lipid Profile and Selected Adipokines

Overview

Journal BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Orthopedics

Date 2023 Oct 20

PMID 37858203

Authors

Bartlomiej Ptaszek

Szymon Podsiadlo

Artur Wojcik

Olga Czerwinska-Ledwig

Aneta Teleglow

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a series of 20 whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) sessions and 20 winter swimming sessions on the lipid profile and selected adipokines.

Materials/methods: The experimental group consisted of 30 people who underwent a series of WBC treatments and 30 people who underwent a winter swimming. The control group consisted of 30 people - without intervention. Study 1: on the day of the commencement of whole-body cryotherapy / at the beginning of the winter swimming season; and Study 2: after a series of 20 cryotherapy sessions / at the end of the winter swimming season. The control group was also tested twice (4-week break). There were 20 WBC treatments - 5 times a week (4 weeks) and 20 cold water baths - once a week (20 weeks).

Results: A statistically significant increase in the concentration of adiponectin, resistin and leptin in women and resistin and leptin in men was observed after the winter swimming season. Differences were also found in the second study between the groups of women using WBC and the control group, as well as the groups of women swimming and the control group. In men, however, these differences were observed in WBC and the control group. The significance level of α = 0.05 was adopted in the analyzes.

Conclusions: The use of WBC may changes in the lipid profile and selected adipokines in men. Regular winter swimming may changes of selected adipokines in both women and men.

Citing Articles

Examining the moderating role of physical fitness on the relationship between ice and snow sports participation and health outcomes in China.

Song W, Cui J BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025; 17(1):37.

PMID: 40038815 PMC: 11877848. DOI: 10.1186/s13102-025-01073-x.

The Influence of Whole-Body Cryotherapy or Winter Swimming on the Activity of Antioxidant Enzymes.

Ptaszek B, Podsiadlo S, Czerwinska-Ledwig O, Teleglow A, Pilch W, Sadowska-Krepa E Biology (Basel). 2024; 13(5).

PMID: 38785777 PMC: 11117667. DOI: 10.3390/biology13050295.

References

Miller E, Kostka J, Wlodarczyk T, Dugue B . Whole-body cryostimulation (cryotherapy) provides benefits for fatigue and functional status in multiple sclerosis patients. A case-control study. Acta Neurol Scand. 2016; 134(6):420-426. DOI: 10.1111/ane.12557. View

Rivera J, Tercero M, Salas J, Gimeno J, Alejo J . The effect of cryotherapy on fibromyalgia: a randomised clinical trial carried out in a cryosauna cabin. Rheumatol Int. 2018; 38(12):2243-2250. PMC: 6223856. DOI: 10.1007/s00296-018-4176-0. View

Knechtle B, Waskiewicz Z, Sousa C, Hill L, Nikolaidis P . Cold Water Swimming-Benefits and Risks: A Narrative Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020; 17(23). PMC: 7730683. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17238984. View

Sutkowy P, Augustynska B, Wozniak A, Rakowski A . Physical exercise combined with whole-body cryotherapy in evaluating the level of lipid peroxidation products and other oxidant stress indicators in kayakers. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2014; 2014:402631. PMC: 4016901. DOI: 10.1155/2014/402631. View

Bouzigon R, Grappe F, Ravier G, Dugue B . Whole- and partial-body cryostimulation/cryotherapy: Current technologies and practical applications. J Therm Biol. 2016; 61:67-81. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2016.08.009. View

Hirvonen H, Kautiainen H, Moilanen E, Mikkelsson M, Leirisalo-Repo M . The effect of cryotherapy on total antioxidative capacity in patients with active seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2017; 37(9):1481-1487. DOI: 10.1007/s00296-017-3771-9. View

Stanek A, Wielkoszynski T, Bartus S, Cholewka A . Whole-Body Cryostimulation Improves Inflammatory Endothelium Parameters and Decreases Oxidative Stress in Healthy Subjects. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020; 9(12). PMC: 7767467. DOI: 10.3390/antiox9121308. View

Lubkowska A, Bryczkowska I, Szygula Z, Giemza C, Skrzek A, Rotter I . The effect of repeated whole-body cryostimulation on the HSP-70 and lipid metabolisms in healthy subjects. Physiol Res. 2019; 68(3):419-429. DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933954. View

Lubkowska A, Dolegowska B, Szygula Z . Whole-body cryostimulation--potential beneficial treatment for improving antioxidant capacity in healthy men--significance of the number of sessions. PLoS One. 2012; 7(10):e46352. PMC: 3471883. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046352. View

10.

Lubkowska A, Dolegowska B, Szygula Z, Bryczkowska I, Stanczyk-Dunaj M, Salata D . Winter-swimming as a building-up body resistance factor inducing adaptive changes in the oxidant/antioxidant status. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 2013; 73(4):315-25. DOI: 10.3109/00365513.2013.773594. View

11.

Miller E, Markiewicz L, Saluk J, Majsterek I . Effect of short-term cryostimulation on antioxidative status and its clinical applications in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2011; 112(5):1645-52. PMC: 3324698. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-011-2122-x. View

12.

Teleglow A, Romanovski V, Skowron B, Mucha D, Tota L, Rosinczuk J . The Effect of Extreme Cold on Complete Blood Count and Biochemical Indicators: A Case Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(1). PMC: 8744862. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010424. View

13.

Teleglow A, Dabrowski Z, Marchewka A, Tyka A, Krawczyk M, Glodzik J . The influence of winter swimming on the rheological properties of blood. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc. 2014; 57(2):119-27. DOI: 10.3233/CH-141823. View

14.

Rymaszewska J, Lion K, Pawlik-Sobecka L, Pawlowski T, Szczesniak D, Trypka E . Efficacy of the Whole-Body Cryotherapy as Add-on Therapy to Pharmacological Treatment of Depression-A Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Psychiatry. 2020; 11:522. PMC: 7296110. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00522. View

15.

Huttunen P, Kokko L, Ylijukuri V . Winter swimming improves general well-being. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2004; 63(2):140-4. DOI: 10.3402/ijch.v63i2.17700. View

16.

Checinska-Maciejewska Z, Miller-Kasprzak E, Checinska A, Korek E, Gibas-Dorna M, Adamczak-Ratajczak A . Gender-related effect of cold water swimming on the seasonal changes in lipid profile, ApoB/ApoA-I ratio, and homocysteine concentration in cold water swimmers. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2018; 68(6):887-896. View

17.

Hausswirth C, Schaal K, Le Meur Y, Bieuzen F, Filliard J, Volondat M . Parasympathetic activity and blood catecholamine responses following a single partial-body cryostimulation and a whole-body cryostimulation. PLoS One. 2013; 8(8):e72658. PMC: 3749989. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072658. View

18.

Kepinska M, Gdula-Argasinska J, Dabrowski Z, Szarek M, Pilch W, Kreska-Korus A . Fatty acids composition in erythrocyte membranes of athletes after one and after a series of whole body cryostimulation sessions. Cryobiology. 2016; 74:121-125. DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2016.11.005. View

19.

Lubkowska A, Szygula Z, Klimek A, Torii M . Do sessions of cryostimulation have influence on white blood cell count, level of IL6 and total oxidative and antioxidative status in healthy men?. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2009; 109(1):67-72. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-009-1207-2. View

20.

Lombardi G, Ziemann E, Banfi G . Whole-Body Cryotherapy in Athletes: From Therapy to Stimulation. An Updated Review of the Literature. Front Physiol. 2017; 8:258. PMC: 5411446. DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00258. View