Source: europepmc · Origin: FR · Jdidi H, de Bisschop C, Dugué B, Douzi W. · European journal of applied physiology · 2026-05-26
URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42189230/
AI rationale (4/5, tier: emerging): RCT measuring HRV and autonomic tone (vagal mechanism) as biomarker outcomes post-intervention; fits PRIORITISE criteria for mechanism-linked intervention study.
Whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) has recently been shown to improve autonomic nervous control of the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to investigate the acute and repeated effects of WBC on baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), heart rate variability (HRV), and blood pressure. Fifty male participants (22 ± 4 years) were randomly assigned to experimental (N = 25) and control groups (N = 25). The experimental group underwent 10 WBC sessions over two weeks, while cardiovascular responses were assessed before and after the 1st and the 10th session of WBC. Heart rate (HR), BRS, HRV, as well as systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured. SAP and MAP values at rest significantly decreased by 7% (- 8.6 mmHg for SAP and - 6.3 mmHg for MAP) after repeated WBC exposures (p < 0.05) whereas the values remained stable in control subjects. Significant negative correlation was found between the changes in SAP and the basal SAP value. The same pattern was observed for MAP. Regarding acute effects, WBC exposure induced a significant increase in BRS by 42% after the 1st exposure, and by 44% after the 10th (p < 0.001). Similarly, HR decreased significantly by 10% and by 13%, while root mean square of successive RR interval differences (RMSSD) rose by 19% and 34% after the 1st and 10th exposure, respectively (p < 0.001). BMI did not significantly modulate the observed responses. Repeated exposures induce adaptive effects, with significant reductions in resting SAP and MAP. These findings support WBC as a promising non-pharmacological strategy to enhance cardiovascular health.