Cryotherapy and Its Adverse Effects on Post- Exercise Agility in College Athletes

Background: In sports rehabilitation, cryotherapy is frequently used to lessen post-exercise muscular discomfort and inflammation. Its impact on functional performance metrics like agility is yet unknown, though. The physiological consequences of cryotherapy, such as decreased nerve conduction velocity and altered muscle spindle sensitivity, may impede agility, which is crucial for sports performance. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the adverse effects of cryotherapy on post-exercise agility in college athletes and provide evidence-based insights for its optimal application. Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 50 college athletes divided into experimental (cryotherapy) and control groups. Post-exercise cryotherapy was applied to the experimental group for 15 minutes, while the control group rested passively. Agility was assessed using the Shuttle Test and Side Step Test before and after the intervention. Result: The results demonstrated a significant decline in agility performance across both tests in the cryotherapy group compared to the control group. Conclusion: While cryotherapy remains effective for reducing inflammation and soreness, it may temporarily impair agility performance. Sports practitioners should carefully time cryotherapy applications, especially before activities requiring rapid directional changes and neuromuscular responsiveness.