EFFECTS OF COLD APPLICATION WITH DIFFERENT DURATIONS ON QUADRICEPS MUSCLE PERFORMANCE IN HEALTHY YOUNG MEN

İlker Yatar^*, Mehtap Malkoç

Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University, 99628, Famagusta, North Cyprus

Background: Although a wide variety of cold application methods are used, there is no consensus about the effects of the most efficient cooling duration on muscle. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of external different durations of muscle cooling on strength and endurance.

Methods: Thirty-eight healthy sedentary males, aged between 18-25 (21.8±1.5 years), were included in the study. Cold gel packs (Tcp:-12.17±0.830C) were applied on both Quadriceps muscles for 5, 10 and 20-min. Each application period was carried out on the same day and time in different weeks. Knee flexor and extensor muscle strength and endurance were assessed on the dominant leg using an isokinetic dynamometer. Strength was measured at low angular speeds of 60°/s and 240°/s, while muscular endurance was measured at a speed of 240°/s.

Results: Knee flexor muscle strength (BW%) at 60⁰/s was lower after 20-min of cold application than that after 5-min of cold application (p<0.05). The peak torque ratio of flexion/extension at 240⁰/s speed was higher for flexion after 20-min of cold application compared to 5-min (p<0.05). Knee flexion and extension (60⁰/s) peak torque value did not show a significant difference after 5, 10 and 20-min of cold applications, compared to baseline values (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Local cold applications of 5, 10 and 20-min applied on the quadriceps muscle does not affect isokinetic muscle strength and endurance. However, different duration cold applications may change the strength ratio between agonist-antagonist muscles.