The effects of hydrotherapy and cryotherapy on recovery from acute post-exercise induced muscle damage-a network meta-analysis.

Chen R, Ma X, Ma X, Cui C

BMC musculoskeletal disorders · September 18, 2024

Background: This systematic review and network meta-analysis assessed via direct and indirect comparisons the recovery effects of hydrotherapy and cold therapy at different temperatures on exercise induced muscle damage. Results: 57 studies with 1220 healthy participants were included, and four interventions were examined: Cold Water Immersion (CWI), Contrast Water Therapy (CWT), Thermoneutral or Hot Water Immersion (TWI/HWI), and Cryotherapy (CRYO). According to network meta-analysis, Contrast Water Immersion (SUCRA: 79.9%) is most effective in recovering the biochemical marker Creatine Kinase. Cryotherapy (SUCRA: 88.3%) works best to relieve Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. In the recovery of Jump Ability, cryotherapy (SUCRA: 83.7%) still ranks the highest. Conclusion: We found that CWT was the best for recovering biochemical markers CK, and CRYO was best for muscle soreness and neuromuscular recovery. In clinical practice, we recommend the use of CWI and CRYO for reducing EIMD.

PMID: 39294614 · DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-07315-2