The French cycling team have been experimenting with cryotherapy — exposure to extreme cold in a small chamber to help recovery — since last month.
I tried out the method myself on the morning of the fourth stage of the Criterium du Dauphine, a preparation race before the Tour de France.
Just after breakfast, I was told to strip to my underpants and given a pair of slippers before entering a cubicle filled with liquid nitrogen that lowers the ambient temperature to minus 150°C.
I stood in the cubicle, keeping my forearms outside it to protect my hands from the cold — I could have worn gloves instead. My head was also sticking out of the top, as the body’s extremities cannot stand such a low temperature.
At first I was just a bit chilly but quite rapidly the cold began to sting my skin as the temperature dropped. Despite the cold, the core temperature of the body stays stable.
Some people do not move inside the cubicle but I did, fearing I might freeze on the spot.
When my three minutes were up, I was happy to get out. With a sense of relief, I put my clothes back on, probably faster than ever before.
The FDJ riders went into the chamber every morning and every evening after a stage and will continue during the Tour, which starts on July 2.
“The method was created in the Eastern countries some 30 years ago,” FDJ team doctor Gerard Guillaume told Reuters.
“It is used in rheumatology and traumatology. Those who used it would treat people and athletes recovering from accidents or crashes.
“They eventually realized that it helped the athletes recover from great efforts.”
Cold is said to help recovery and reduce inflammation. In the long term, cryotherapy is also said to reinforce the immune system.
The use of ice baths has become quite common in elite sport in recent years but the Rugby Football Union (RFU), previously an enthusiastic supporter, no longer uses them for England’s elite players during training sessions after new research cast doubt on their efficacy in helping muscle recovery.
The therapy was not a performance-enhancing method, Guillaume said.
“It helps recovery, it does not help performance.”
Last month, the International Cycling Union (UCI) banned the teams from injecting their riders unless it was of medical necessity and cryotherapy is a convenient alternative.
“We’re actually doing the right thing. There is absolutely no performance-enhancement,” said Guillaume. “If it works, other teams will come to it, obviously.”
Another French team, AG2R-La Mondiale, have also started to use cryotherapy.
“It helps recovery and the fight against pain after effort. Then, the technique can be implemented over the long term since the cold can improve the immune system,” said team doctor Eric Bouvat.
“In our team we use it after the stages, but also in the morning because the cold stimulates the endocrinal system.”
Last week’s Criterium du Dauphine marked the first time the FDJ riders had used cryotherapy on a race.
Every morning, the suppliers brought in 200 liters of liquid nitrogen, but the capacity will be brought up to 600 liters a day.
“We need to have more autonomy on a three-week race like the Tour to avoid any mishap,” said Guillaume.
The cost for a cryotherapy session is estimated at about 50 euros, which makes it 900 euros per day on the Tour for nine riders.
The riders themselves have accepted the therapy.
“At first, it hurts a bit, especially the legs. It’s like having a pack of ice around your legs, which is not the best feeling,” said FDJ team leader Sandy Casar.
“I’m okay with this, it’s better than an iced bath as it’s a dry cold,” his team mate Arnold Jeannesson said after spending his three minutes without moving in the freezing cubicle.
He was followed by Francis Mourey, who does not mind the cold either.
“Really, it’s fine. I don’t even feel the need to move inside the cubicle. It’s good for my sleep, too,” he said.
