title: Skinfold thickness at 8 common cryotherapy sites in various athletic populations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Researchers have observed slower cooling rates in thigh muscle with greater overlying adipose tissue, suggesting that cryotherapy duration should be based on the adipose thickness of the treatment site. Skinfold data do not exist for other common cryotherapy sites, and no one has reported how those skinfolds might vary because of physical activity level or sex.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the variability in skinfold thickness among common cryotherapy sites relative to sex and activity level (National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletes, recreationally active college athletes).
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive laboratory study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Field.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred eighty-nine college students participated; 196 Division I athletes (157 men, 39 women) were recruited during preseason physicals, and 193 recreationally active college athletes (108 men, 85 women) were recruited from physical education classes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three skinfold measurements to within 1 mm were taken at 8 sites (inferior angle of the scapula, middle deltoid, ulnar groove, midforearm, midthigh, medial collateral ligament, midcalf, and anterior talofibular ligament [ATF]) using Lange skinfold calipers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Skinfold thickness in millimeters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We noted interactions among sex, activity level, and skinfold site. Male athletes had smaller skinfold measurements than female athletes at all sites except the ATF, scapula, and ulnar groove (F₇,₂₇₀₂ = 69.85, P < .001). Skinfold measurements were greater for recreationally active athletes than their Division I counterparts at all sites except the ATF, deltoid, and ulnar groove (F₇,₂₇₀₂ = 30.79, P < .001). Thigh skinfold measurements of recreationally active female athletes were the largest, and their ATF skinfolds were the smallest.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Skinfold thickness at common cryotherapy treatment sites varied based on level of physical activity and sex. Therefore, clinicians should measure skinfold thickness to determine an appropriate cryotherapy duration.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education, Sport & Exercise Science, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA. juttel@xavier.edu
authors.forename: Lisa S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Jutte
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Blaine C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Kenneth L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Knight
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D001132:Arm; D056352:Athletes; D001823:Body Composition; D017679:Cryotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D012782:Shoulder; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013909:Thorax; D055815:Young Adult