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JOURNAL
OF
SPORTS SCIENCE &
MEDICINE
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Research
article
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THE EFFECTS OF COLD WHIRLPOOL ON POWER, SPEED, AGILITY, AND RANGE OF MOTION |
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Stephen M. Patterson1  ,
Brian E. Udermann1, Scott T. Doberstein1 and David M. Reineke2 |
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1Department of Exercise and Sport Science, and 2Department of Mathematics, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, La Crosse, USA |
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© Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2008) 7, 387 - 394 Search Google Scholar for Citing Articles |
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| ABSTRACT | |||
| The purpose was to determine if cold whirlpool treatment decreases
functional performance equally regardless of gender. A secondary aim was
to determine if there is a gradual increase in functional performance across
time. Twenty-one college-aged subjects volunteered to participate in this
study and were required to perform four measures of functional performance
including: counter movement vertical jump, T-test, 36.58-meter dash (40-yard),
and active range of motion of the ankle. Participants were treated with
a 20 minute, 10 degree Celsius cold whirlpool following the pre-test of
a given functional performance measure. Participants demonstrated significant
decreases in counter movement vertical jump, T-test, and 40-yard dash performance
immediately following treatment. Vertical jump performance remained impaired
for at least 32 minutes. While both the T-test and 40-yard dash were affected
for 7 and 22 minutes post- treatment, respectively. Participants also demonstrated
significant decreases in peak power and average power immediately after
and for 32 minutes post-treatment. Dorsiflexion was significantly decreased
7 and 12 minutes following treatment. There were no differences for plantar
flexion, inversion, or eversion. These data suggest functional performance
was affected immediately following and for up to 32 minutes after cold whirlpool
treatment. It was also evident that there is a gradual performance increase
for each measure of functional performance across time. Therefore, the consequences
should be carefully considered before returning athletes to activity following
cold whirlpool treatment.
Key words: Functional performance, cryotherapy, therapeutic modalities. |
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