Effect of cryotherapy on the ankle temperature in athletes: ice pack and cold water immersion

• Published in: Fisioterapia em movimento 2015-03, Vol.28 (1), p.23-30
• Main Authors: Santos, Vanessa Batista da Costa, Cardoso, Camila dos Santos, Figueiredo, Camila Pelegrin, Macedo, Christiane de Souza Guerino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ankle; Athletes; Cryotherapy; ORTHOPEDICS; Physiotherapy modalities; REHABILITATION
• ISSN: 0103-5150; 1980-5918; 0103-5150
• DOI: 10.1590/0103-5150.028.001.AO02

Introduction Cryotherapy is often used for rehabilitation of injured athletes. Objective To compare the effectiveness of ice pack (IP) and cold water immersion (CWI) on lowering the ankle skin surface temperature in athletes. Materials and methods Thirteen athletes (seven women and six men), age 19.53 (± 2.9) years. IP and CWI were applied on the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) of the dominant leg for 30 minutes. The skin surface temperature was measured with an infrared digital thermometer prior to the application and during cryotherapy (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes) and up to two hours of rewarming. During rewarming, the athletes remained at rest and the temperature was measured every 1 minute until 10 minutes, every 5 minutes for up to an hour and every 15 minutes until 2 hours. Results The two types of cold application were effective in lowering the skin surface temperature after the 30-minute procedure. Significant differences were observed among the following temperatures: pre-application (IP = 29.8 ± 2.4 °C and CWI = 27.5 ± 3 °C – P < 0.05); after 30 minutes (IP = 5 ± 2.4 °C and CWI = 7.8 ± 3 °C – P < 0.01). For rewarming, after 25 minutes (IP = 20.8 ± 3.3 °C and CWI = 18.2 ± 2.7 °C – P < 0.04); after 45 minutes (IP = 24.5 ± 2.3 °C and IP = 22.1 ± 3.5 °C – P < 0.05); after 75 minutes (IP = 26.4 ± 2.2 °C and CWI = 24 ± 2.7 °C – P < 0.02). Conclusion After the 30-minute application, both IP and CWI produced the appropriate temperature; however the application of CWI produced the lowest temperature during rewarming. Introdução A crioterapia é frequentemente utilizado para reabilitação de atletas lesionados. Objetivo Objetivou-se comparar a eficácia da aplicação do pacote de gelo convencional (PG) em relação à crioimersão (CI) na diminuição da temperatura superficial da pele do tornozelo de atletas. Materiais e métodos A amostra foi composta por 13 atletas (sete do gênero feminino e seis do masculino), idade de 19,53 (± 2,9) anos. O PG e a CI foram aplicados sobre o ligamento talofibular anterior do tornozelo dominante, por 30 minutos. A temperatura superficial da pele foi verificada pré-aplicação e durante a crioterapia (10, 15, 20, 25 e 30 minutos) e até duas horas de reaquecimento, com termômetro digital infravermelho. Para as coletas no período de reaquecimento, os atletas permaneceram em repouso, com temperatura verificada a cada 1 minuto, até 10 minutos, a cada 5 minutos, até uma hora, e a cada 15 minutos, até duas horas. Resultados As duas