Article

In light of the wide use of cryotherapy and its potential negative effects on
postural stability, little is known about how postural sway is affected,
particularly when the whole lower limb is immersed. The purpose of this study was
to analyze the influence of cryotherapy on postural sway in healthy males.
Twenty-six subjects were randomly assigned into two intervention groups: control
(tepid water at approximately 26 degrees C) or ice (cold water at approximately
11 degrees C). Postural sway was measured through the center of pressure (COP)
position while they stood on a force plate during bipedal (70 s) and unipedal (40
s) conditions before and after the subjects were immersed in a water tub up to
the umbilical level for 20 min. COP standard deviation (SD) and COP velocity were
analyzed in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions.
Statistical analysis showed that in the bipedal condition cryotherapy increased
the COP SD and COP velocity in the ML direction. During the unipedal condition, a
higher COP velocity in the AP and ML directions was also reported. Our findings
indicate that cryotherapy by immersing the whole lower limb should be used with
caution before engaging in challenging postural control activities.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS