Exploratory evaluation of muscle strength and skin surface temperature responses to contemporary cryotherapy modalities in sport

BACKGROUND: The effects of contemporary cryo-compression devices on function are limited compared to traditional applications of cooling. Development of cooling protocols are warranted. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of three different cryo-compressive modalities applied at the knee on the isokinetic strength of the quadriceps over a re-warming period. METHODS: Eleven healthy male participants took part (23 ± 14 years; 78.3 ± 14.5 Kg; 180 ± 9.5 cm) randomly assigned to receive all modalities (Game Ready® (GR), Swellaway® (SA), Wetted Ice (WI)) applied for 15-min, separated by 1-week. Skin surface temperature (Ts⁢k) via thermography and the concentric peak moment (PM) of the quadriceps at 60 and 180∘/s were collected pre-, immediately-post and at 20-min post-intervention. RESULTS: Significant reductions occurred in Ts⁢k across all timepoints for all modalities (p=⩽ 0.05). Significant reductions in PM for WI were noted across all timepoints and PM for GR and SA immediately-post (p=⩽ 0.05) only. CONCLUSION: Precaution for immediately returning to sport following cryotherapy is required and influenced by type of cooling on muscle strength responses. Alternate targeted treatment modalities to minimise deferred deleterious effects on muscle strength may be considered. Research into length of application, periodisation and location is warranted for the development of such contemporary cryo-compressive modalities in applied practice.