The effect of cryotherapy on the single leg vertical jump

Context. Many studies suggest that there is a difference in functional performance after the use of cryotherapy. Some studies have conflicting findings suggesting there is not a difference in functional performance after the use of cryotherapy. Many studies analyzing functional performance have chosen to analyze the vertical jump. The vertical jump is a standard measurement of lower extremity functional strength and power.;Objective. The purpose of the study is to examine the effects of cryotherapy on the lower extremity and functional performance as measured by the single-leg vertical jump.;Design. Quasi-experimental, within subjects, repeated measures design.;Setting. Controlled laboratory setting.;Participants. 14 physically active college students who volunteered with no previous injuries or cold contraindications.;Interventions. Subjects were required fill out a demographic and approved informed consent form upon arrival for the first time. Subjects were required to come in twice for testing. Testing first started with a 5 minute warm-up on the bicycle. Immediately following the warm-up the subject was to perform five single-leg vertical jumps (pretest. The subject was then instructed to sit and received treatment (cryotherapy or no cryotherapy). Immediately after the treatment the subject performed five single-leg vertical jumps (posttest) and again performed five single-leg vertical jumps five minutes after posttest, ten minutes and twenty minutes after posttest.;Main Outcome Measures. Peak force (maximal jump height was the measurement used to measure to compare two conditions: treatment (cryotherapy and no cryotherapy) and time.;Results. The results showed that there was no significant difference with cryotherapy conditions: treatment and time. The results also showed there was no significant difference with the interaction of treatments and time.;Conclusions. Results of this study would suggest it is safe to return an athlete to play immediately after cryotherapy has been applied. It is still recommended by numerous other studies that warm-up or an elapse of time should be given to the athlete before returning to play.