Comparisons of cubed ice, crushed ice, and wetted ice on intramuscular and surface temperature changes.
BACKGROUND
Many researchers have investigated the effectiveness of different types of cold application, including cold whirlpools, ice packs, and chemical packs. However, few have investigated the effectiveness of different types of ice used in ice packs, even though ice is one of the most common forms of cold application.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare the cooling effectiveness of ice packs made with cubed, crushed, and wetted ice on intramuscular and skin surface temperatures.


METHODS
Repeated-measures counterbalanced design.


METHODS
Human performance research laboratory.


METHODS
Twelve healthy participants (6 men, 6 women) with no history of musculoskeletal disease and no known preexisting inflammatory conditions or recent orthopaedic injuries to the lower extremities.


METHODS
Ice packs made with cubed, crushed, or wetted ice were applied to a standardized area on the posterior aspect of the right gastrocnemius for 20 minutes. Each participant was given separate ice pack treatments, with at least 4 days between treatment sessions.


METHODS
Cutaneous and intramuscular (2 cm plus one-half skinfold measurement) temperatures of the right gastrocnemius were measured every 30 seconds during a 20-minute baseline period, a 20-minute treatment period, and a 120-minute recovery period.


RESULTS
Differences were observed among all treatments. Compared with the crushed-ice treatment, the cubed-ice and wetted-ice treatments produced lower surface and intramuscular temperatures. Wetted ice produced the greatest overall temperature change during treatment and recovery, and crushed ice produced the smallest change.


CONCLUSIONS
As administered in our protocol, wetted ice was superior to cubed or crushed ice at reducing surface temperatures, whereas both cubed ice and wetted ice were superior to crushed ice at reducing intramuscular temperatures.
Dykstra
Joseph H
JH
Calvin College, HPERDS Department, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA. jhd7@calvin.edu
Hill
Holly M
HM
Miller
Michael G
MG
Cheatham
Christopher C
CC
Michael
Timothy J
TJ
Baker
Robert J
RJ
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000379:methods; D007053:Ice; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D011336:Probability; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D013817:Thermography / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
D007053:Ice