Randomised trial, 2025
Does whole-body cryostimulation improve sleep quality in female athletes during different menstrual phases?
Yes, whole-body cryostimulation improved sleep quality and reduced fatigue during the mid-luteal phase, when sleep naturally worsens. It did not help during other phases.
What they did
Randomized controlled crossover study with 17 female athletes tested during two menstrual cycles. One cycle included two 3-minute cryostimulation sessions at -110°C, the other cycle had no treatment. Sleep quality, body temperature, and heart rate patterns were measured at different cycle phases.
What they found
During the mid-luteal phase, sleep quality naturally decreased and fatigue increased. Cryostimulation improved objective sleep quality and reduced perceived fatigue during this phase. The treatment appeared to restore temperature regulation, though some heart rate changes remained.
What it means for you
Cryostimulation might help female athletes sleep better during the mid-luteal phase when sleep naturally worsens. The study is small (17 women) and only included young athletes, so results may not apply to all women.
17
female athletes
24 ± 3.3
average age in years
-110 °C
cryostimulation temperature
About the study
- Original title
- Maximizing sleep quality and well-being in female athletes: the role of the menstrual cycle and whole-body cryostimulation
- Authors
- Messaoudène L, Arc-Chagnaud C, Renier F et al.
- Journal
- Cryobiology
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Whole-body cryostimulation at -110°C for 3 minutes, done twice during one menstrual cycle
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2025.105283
Topics
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