title: An exploratory study into the effects of a 20 minute crushed ice application on knee joint position sense during a small knee bend.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effect of cryotherapy on joint positioning presents conflicting debates as to whether individuals are at an increased risk of injury when returning to play or activity immediately following cryotherapy application at the knee. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a 20 min application of crushed ice at the knee immediately affects knee joint position sense during a small knee bend.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre- and post-intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  University movement analysis laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven healthy male participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Kinematics of the knee were measured during a weight bearing functional task pre and post cryotherapy intervention using three-dimensional motion analysis (Qualisys Medical AB Gothenburg, Sweden). Tissue cooling was measured via a digital thermometer at the knee.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results demonstrated significant reductions in the ability to accurately replicate knee joint positioning in both sagittal (P = .035) and coronal (P = .011) planes during the descent phase of a small knee bend following cryotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion a 20 min application of crushed ice to the knee has an adverse effect on knee joint repositioning. Team doctors, clinicians, therapists and athletes should consider these findings when deciding to return an athlete to functional weight bearing tasks immediately following ice application at the knee, due to the potential increase risk of injury.
authors.affiliation: University of Central Lancashire, Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Brook Building, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2HE, United Kingdom. Electronic address: JAlexander3@uclan.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.affiliation: University of Central Lancashire, Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Brook Building, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2HE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Selfe
authors.affiliation: University of Central Lancashire, Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Brook Building, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2HE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.affiliation: University of Central Lancashire, Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Brook Building, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2HE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mee
authors.affiliation: University of Central Lancashire, Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Brook Building, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2HE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: University of Central Lancashire, Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Brook Building, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2HE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: University of Central Lancashire, Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Brook Building, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2HE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.affiliation: University of Central Lancashire, Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Brook Building, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2HE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: May
mesh_terms: D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007053:Ice; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007053:Ice
keywords: Cryotherapy; Joint position sense; Kinematics; Knee