WARRINGTON Wolves are working with sports lecturers from the University of Bolton to discover whether cryotherapy can improve player recovery and performance.
The treatment involves exposing the players to temperatures of around -135ºC, for short bursts, in a nitrogen-cooled cryochamber. The theory is that exposing a player’s whole body to extreme cold could potentially have physiological effects that help players resume training and regain match day fitness at optimal rates.
Now the University of Bolton’s research team is scientifically testing the theory – taking a series of samples from players during their recovery phase following matches and assessing the influence of cryotherapy treatment.
Extreme cold to aid recovery is nothing new for athletes. The ice bath is a long established, if uncomfortable, treatment for sports injuries. But cryotherapy does not plunge the player’s body into the shock and discomfort of being submerged in ice-cold water.
Players go into the cryochamber straight after the game – up to two at a time – move freely about in a dry atmosphere for two to three minutes. That is around 30 per cent less time than they would be required to endure a conventional ice bath treatment.
The university’s head of sports rehabilitation, Anna Fitzpatrick, said: “In the race for Wembley or the Grand Final first-class recovery can give a team an edge. Well-recovered players perform and prepare better, therefore it may enable the coaches to have a healthier squad for match selection.
“How well cryotherapy is performing is confidential. The club receives regular reports from the University but the research team’s findings will not be published until later in the year.”
The Wolves have been using a British Oxygen Company mobile unit after various games during the past season.
Lee Briers said: “I can definitely feel the benefit – I don’t feel half as sore as I used to.”
The University of Bolton cryotherapy research team includes: Adam Naylor, Mark Gallamore, Colin Robertson, Anna Fitzpatrick and Andy Schofield.
University measures Wolves performance
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
