Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia | [b] Department of Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt | [c] Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia | [d] Department of Medical Physiology, Taibah Faculty of Medicine, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia | [e] Department of Physical Therapy, King Salman Medical City, Ministry of Health, Medina, Saudi Arabia | [f] Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Marwan M.A. Aljohani, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Tel.: +966 556673311; E-mail: mmjohani@taibahu.edu.sa.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cryotherapy is widely utilized for therapeutic purposes, yet its specific effects on knee joint proprioception and quadriceps muscle performance in healthy individuals remain unclear. This study addresses this gap by examining the impact of a 20-minute cryotherapy session on knee joint proprioception and related muscle parameters in a cohort of healthy college students. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of cryotherapy on knee joint proprioception and quadriceps muscle peak moment, work and power in healthy college male and female students. METHODS: Thirty-two healthy students, aged 19–23, underwent a 20-minute cryotherapy session using Cryogel packs applied to the anterior thigh and knee. An isokinetic dynamometer measured knee joint proprioception and quadriceps muscle parameters before, immediately after, 10-min, and 20-min post-cryotherapy. RESULTS: Proprioception values did not significantly differ between genders or post-tests (p> 0.05). However, the female group exhibited significantly lower moment, power, and work values compared to males (p< 0.05). No significant differences were observed within or between post-tests in moment, power, and work for both genders (p> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A 20-minute cryotherapy application demonstrated no adverse effects on knee joint proprioception or quadriceps muscle metrics in healthy college students, supporting the safety of cryotherapy in this context.
