Immediate and delayed effect of cryotherapy on quadriceps muscle strength using modified sphygmomanometer in healthy individual

Objective: To study the immediate and delayed effect of cryotherapy on quadriceps muscle strength using modified sphygmomanometer in healthy individual.
Backgound: Cryotherapy is therapeutic application of any substance to the body that removes heat from the body resulting in decreased tissue temperature. Various methods are used such as crushed ice, ice towel, ice pack, ice massage, refrigerant gases etc. Both superficial and deep temperature changes depend on application method, time, temperature. The physiological and biological effects are due to the reduction in temperature in various tissues. Depending on the duration of the intervention and the timing of measurement, cryotherapy has been associated with both increases and decreases in muscle strength.
Methodology: An experimental study of 60 healthy individual aged 18-28yrs was done. They were instructed to perform isometric contraction of quadriceps with a hold time of 5-8secs and strength was assessed. Then for 10 minutes cryotherapy was applied and similarly strength was assessed immediately after cryotherapy, 10minutes, 20minutes and 30 minutes after cryotherapy.
Result and Conculsion: Data was analysed and the results were interpreted. There was significant difference in quadriceps muscle strength immediate after cryotherapy and 30mins after cryotherapy. There was no such significant difference was observed in the strength of quadriceps muscle after 10mins and 20mins of cryotherapy as compared to pre assessed strength. We conclude that the strength of quadricep muscle is increased immediately after and 30 mins following 10 mins cryotherapy (crushed ice) whereas, the strength of quadriceps muscle was observed to be decreased 10 mins and 20 mins following cryotherapy.