A Evidence-Based Approach to Selecting Post-Exercise Cryostimulation Techniques for Improving Exercise Performance and Fatigue Recovery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software, and conducted by two researchers (CF and PC), who independently screened literature, extracted data, and cross-verified the results. In case of disagreements, a third party was consulted to assist in reaching a consensus. For all outcome measures in this study, which were continuous data, if the outcomes were assessed on the same scale and in the same units, the effect size was calculated using the weighted mean difference (WMD) as the effect measure. If different scales and units were used, the standardized mean difference (SMD) was employed as the effect measure. All effect sizes were expressed with a 95% confidence interval (CI), and a significance level of P<0.05 indicated a statistically significant difference [17]. Heterogeneity analysis was conducted for the included studies. When P>0.1 and I²<50%, it indicated homogeneity among the studies, and a fixed-effects model was used for the meta-analysis. Conversely, if there was heterogeneity among the studies (P≤0.1 or I²≥50%), a random-effects model was applied for the meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis or sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the sources of heterogeneity.