Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies, cilt.2022, ss.1-15, 2022 (Hakemli Dergi)
Introduction
Cold spray is a form of cryotherapy used in in acute injuries at sports medicine. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the acute effect of cold spray application as a treatment strategy for acute sports injuries on the mechanical properties of the rectus femoris muscle in athletes.
Methods
The study included 23 volunteer active male athletes between the ages of 18–23 with a subepidermal fold thickness of the rectus femoris muscle between 5 mm and 15 mm. Skin temperature (thermal camera) and mechanical property evaluations of the muscle (Myoton Pro) were measured before, immediately after, and in 2 min, 5 min, 10 min and 15 min intervals following cold spray application.
Results
The skin temperature value of the athletes were significantly lower even in the 15-minute interval following application (p < 0.001). Muscle tone increased significantly after the application and in the second minute compared to the pre-application (p < 0.001). Muscle stiffness increased significantly only after the second and fifth minutes compared to the pre-application (p < 0.001). Muscle decrement showed an increase in all time-points compared to the pre-application (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
In athletes, the rectus femoris muscle has been observed to become harder and less elastic following cooling with cold spray. These changes did not improve completely following the 5 min. The muscle regained its mechanical properties at the earliest approximately 10 min after the cold spray application