Cryotherapy effects on knee proprioception and quadriceps performance in healthy college students

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.