Lower Leg Cold Immersion Does Not Impair Dynamic Stability in Healthy Women
Context:Previous studies have suggested that cryotherapy affects neuromuscu-lar function and therefore might impair dynamic stability. If cryotherapy affects dynamic stability, clinicians might alter their decisions regarding returning athletes to play immediately after treatment.Objective:To assess the effects of lower leg cold immersion on muscle activity and dynamic stability of the lower extremity.Design:Within-subject time-series design with 1 pretest and 2 posttests.Setting:A climate-controlled biomechanics laboratory.Participants:17 healthy women.Interventions:20-minute cold-water immersion.Main Outcome Measures:Preparatory and reactive electromyographic activity of the tibialis anterior and peroneus longus and time to stabilization after a jump landing.Results:Preparatory activity of the tibialis anterior increased after treatment, whereas preparatory and reactive peroneus longus activity decreased. Both returned to baseline after a 5-minute recovery. Time to stabilization did not change.Conclusions:Lower leg cold-immersion therapy does not impair dynamic stability in healthy women during a jump-landing task. Return to participation after a cryotherapy treatment is not contraindicated for healthy athletes.