Muscle Temperature Is Affected by Overlying Adipose When Cryotherapy Is Administered.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the amount of overlying adipose and intramuscular temperature change during and after a 20-minute crushed-ice pack treatment. DESIGN AND SETTING: Subjects were divided into 3 equal groups according to calf skinfold thickness: 8 mm or less, 10 to 18 mm, and 20 mm or greater. Intramuscular temperature was monitored at 1 cm and 3 cm below the subcutaneous fat in the left medial calf during and after a 1.8-kg crushed-ice pack treatment. SUBJECTS: Thirty uninjured college students volunteered to be subjects. MEASUREMENTS: Intramuscular temperature was recorded every 10 seconds over a 20-minute treatment and for 30 minutes posttreatment. RESULTS: Intramuscular temperature decreases between adipose groups at the end of treatment at both 1 cm and 3 cm below the subcutaneous fat were significantly different. At 1 cm within the muscle, the temperature decreases were 14.43 degrees C, 9.06 degrees C, and 5.00 degrees C for 8-mm or less, 10- to 18-mm, and 20-mm or greater skinfolds, respectively. At 3 cm, temperatures were 6.22 degrees C, 3.86 degrees C, and 2.42 degrees C, respectively. By 30 minutes posttreatment at 1 cm, the 8-mm or less and 10- to 18-mm groups rewarmed 5.39 degrees C and 2.22 degrees C, respectively, but the 20-mm or greater group was 0.49 degrees C colder than at the conclusion of the treatment. At 3 cm, temperatures in all 3 groups were colder at 30 minutes posttreatment than they were at the end of the treatment, 1.63 degrees C, 1.83 degrees C, and 2.10 degrees C for 8-mm or less, 10- to 18-mm, and 20-mm or greater skinfolds, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of adipose over the therapy site is a significant factor in the extent of intramuscular temperature change that occurs during and after cryotherapy. Adipose should, therefore, be taken into account in determining appropriate treatment protocols.
Myrer
William J.
WJ
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT.
Myrer
Kimberly A.
KA
Measom
Gary J.
GJ
Fellingham
Gilbert W.
GW
Evers
Stacey L.
SL