Abstract
Although tissue cooling is widely used in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries
there is still controversy about its effects on muscular performance. The combination
of cooling and exercise justifies the study of this topic. The aim was to compare
the effects of ice pack and cold-water immersion on the muscular performance parameters
of plantar flexors and muscular activation of the triceps surae. 41 healthy men (mean
age: 22.1 years, SD: 2.9) were randomly assigned to cooling with either ice pack (n=20)
or cold-water immersion (n=21). Independent variables were cold modality (ice pack
or cold-water immersion) and pre- and post-cooling measurement time. Dependent variables
were muscular performance (measured during isometric and concentric contractions of
plantar flexors) and electromyography parameters of the triceps surae (median frequency
and root mean square amplitude). Dependent-samples t-tests were used to compare pre-
and post-cooling data and independent-samples t-tests were used to compare the difference
(pre- and post-cooling) between groups. Ice pack increased isometric peak torque (mean:
9.00 Nm, P=0.01) and both cold modalities reduced muscular activation in triceps surae (P<0.0001);
Cold-water immersion and ice pack reduced peak torque and total work during dynamic
isokinetic contraction at both velocities (mean: −11,00 Nm, P<0.05) and affected muscular activation in different ways. In conclusion, ice pack
increases isometric torque, while both ice pack and cold-water immersion decrease
concentric muscular performance. These results indicate that these cooling methods
should be chosen with caution, considering the type of task required during training
or rehabilitation. New studies investigating other muscle groups and joints are necessary.
Key words
cryotherapy - isokinetic exercise - isometric exercise - ice pack - cold-water immersion
- electromyography
