The efficacy of cooling with phase change material for the treatment of exercise-induced muscle damage: pilot study

Susan Kwiecien, Malachy McHugh, Glyn Howatson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)
16 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Post-exercise cryotherapy treatments are typically short duration interventions. This study examined the efficacy of prolonged cooling using phase change material (PCM) on strength loss and pain after eccentric exercise. Eight adults performed 120 bilateral eccentric quadriceps contractions (90% MVC). Immediately afterwards, frozen PCM packs (15°C) were placed over the quadriceps, with room temperature PCM packs on the contralateral quadriceps. Skin temperature was recorded continually (6 h PCM application). Isometric quadriceps strength and soreness were assessed before, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post-exercise. The protocol was repeated 5 months later, with room temperature PCM applied to both legs. There were three treatments: legs treated with 15°C PCM packs (direct cooling), legs treated with room temperature PCM packs contralateral to the 15°C PCM packs (systemic cooling), and legs tested 5 months later both treated with room temperature PCM packs (control). Skin temperature was 9°C–10°C lower with direct cooling versus systemic cooling and control (P <0.01). Strength loss and soreness were less (P <0.05) with direct cooling versus systemic cooling and control (strength 101%, 94%, 93%, respectively; pain 1.0, 2.3, 2.7, respectively). Six hours of PCM cooling was well tolerated and reduced strength loss and pain after damaging exercise.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)407-413
JournalJournal of Sports Sciences
Volume36
Issue number4
Early online date10 Apr 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • Recovery of function
  • exercise recovery
  • cryotherapy
  • muscle damage

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The efficacy of cooling with phase change material for the treatment of exercise-induced muscle damage: pilot study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this