Effect of Cryotherapy Temperature on the Extension Performance of Healthy Adults’ Legs

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different temperature cryotherapy on leg extension performance. A short period of cold treatment at 0 °C may increase the leg extension ability; however, further lower cold treatment temperatures may cause a decrease in the stretching speed. This may indicate that 0 °C cold therapy for a short period of time is more suitable than −5 °C cold therapy for athletes to recover during the interval within a competition. ABSTRACT: Cryotherapy as a measurement of sports recovery and treatment has been utilized by more and more athletes and coaches. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different temperature cryotherapies on leg extension performance. Thirty-one male participants from a University volunteered to join two different temperature cryotherapies. The peak power and peak force of right leg extension performance of each participant was measured by Keiser, before and after cryotherapy, respectively. The results of this study show that there was a significant difference in peak power (t = −3.203, p value = 0.003) and peak force (t = −4.662, p value = 0) before and after 0 °C cryotherapy. In addition, there was a significant difference in peak force (t = −4.36, p value = 0) before and after −5 °C cryotherapy. Besides, the changing rates of peak power (3.03%) and peak force (11.51%) in the 0 °C group were higher than those of peak power (2.80%), as well as peak force (7.45%), in the −5 °C group. The PF in the 0 °C and −5 °C groups both significantly increased after cryotherapy. Peak power significantly increased after 0 °C cryotherapy, but did not significantly increase after −5 °C cryotherapy. The changing rates of peak power and peak force in the 0 °C group were both higher than the −5 °C group. A short period of cold treatment at 0 °C may increase the leg extension ability. A 0 °C cold therapy for a short period of time is more suitable than a −5 °C one for athletes to recover during the interval within a competition. Athlete and coach could choose an appropriate temperature to help increase performance of physical level and recovery.