Superficial moist heat's lack of influence on soleus function.
BACKGROUND
It is reported that thermotherapy decreases motoneuron-pool recruitment. Any decrease in recruitment might have a significant impact on an athlete's ability to return to competition.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether moist heat application influences involuntary motoneuron-pool recruitment or voluntary plantar-flexion peak torque of the soleus muscle immediately or 30 min after application.


METHODS
A 3 x 3 crossover design.


METHODS
Biomechanics laboratory.


METHODS
Eighteen healthy subjects with no history of lower extremity surgery or injury 12 months before the study volunteered.


METHODS
A series of short-duration, high-intensity stimuli was delivered to the tibial nerve to find the H(max) and M(max) measures. Immediately after the H(max) and M(max) measures, subjects were positioned on an isokinetic dynamometer where they performed 5 submaximal warm-up repetitions. Immediately after the warm-up, 5 maximum-intensity peak plantar-flexion torque repetitions were performed. After the dynamometer measures, subjects returned to the table, where a moist heat pack, no heat pack, or a dry nonheated heat pack was applied.


METHODS
H(max), M(max), peak plantar-flexion torque, surface temperature (degrees C), and ambient temperature (degrees C).


RESULTS
Moist heat did not influence the H:M(max) ratio or peak plantar-flexion torque. Temperature increased with moist heat pack. Ambient temperature remained constant.


CONCLUSIONS
Moist heat did not influence involuntary motoneuron-pool recruitment or voluntary peak plantar-flexion torque of the soleus muscle immediately or 30 min after application.
Long
Blaine C
BC
Dept of Health and Human Performance, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
Hopkins
J Ty
JT
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D019415:Torque