The use of whole-body cryotherapy for increasing the stress resistance of female athletes in group types of gymnastics

Abstract

Background. Representatives of complex coordination sports are most susceptible to psychoemotional stress, since they demonstrate high sports results already at a young age. The tightening of anti-doping control has significantly reduced the possibility of using pharmacological and biologically active drugs to speed up the recovery of athletes. Against this background, in sports medicine, more attention is paid to the use of non-drug methods to improve performance and recovery in athletes. Aim to study the efficiency of the introduction of whole-body cryotherapy in the training process of female athletes of complex coordination sports (for example, group gymnastics) to increase stress resistance and reduce violations of adaptation processes as a result of neuropsychiatric overstrain. Materials and methods. During the academic-training year, 22 gymnasts received six ten-day courses of whole-body cryotherapy in the ICEQUEEN cryosauna. 19 athletes were included in the control group. The studies were conducted 3 times: before the start of the procedures, after the first course of procedures, at the end of the training year. The diagnosis of nocturnal bruxism and the definition of the psychological component of health were carried out. Total and effective albumin concentrations were determined in the blood serum with the calculation of the albumin binding reserve, helper T-lymphocytes and killer T-lymphocytes with the calculation of the immunoregulatory index. Results. After one course, there was an increase in the functional activity of serum albumins, a decrease in the number of episodes of involuntary contractions of the masticatory muscles at night, and an increase in the psychological component of health according to SF-36. After six courses of cryotherapy, the functional activity of serum albumins and the initial values of the immunoregulatory index were preserved by the end of the season, and the psychological component of health according to SF-36 was increased, while these indicators decreased in the control group. There was also a decrease in the number of episodes of involuntary contractions of the masticatory muscles at night with an increase in their number in the control group of female athletes. Conclusions. Considering the obtained results, it is possible to recommend the use of whole-body cryotherapy in gymnasts during the preparatory and recovery periods of the annual training cycle in order to increase stress tolerance and prevent psychoemotional overstrain.