A Study to Compare effects of Superficial Heat and cold Applications During Static Stretching on Planter Flexors Extensibility Khan Shabana1, Shamsi Sharick2 1MPT (Sports Medicine) Researcher, College of Applied Sciences, Dept. of Rehabilitation King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2Lecturer, Raj Nursing and Paramedical College, Gorakhpur, U.P, INDIA Corresponding author: Shabana Khan C/O - Shakeel Ahmad Shamsi, Humayunpur (North), Near - Imambara, Gorakhpur, U.P, INDIA, Phone: +915512255782
Online published on 15 January, 2013. Abstract Study Objective To compare the effects of superficial heat and cold applications during static stretching on plantar flexors extensibility. Design Pre test and post test control group. Method and measurements 30 volunteers of 18–30 years participated in study. Subjects were randomly and equally assigned to moist heat pack and static stretching (group A), ice pack and static stretching (group B) and static stretching (group C). Subjects in each group were given stretching to plantar flexors with 1/3rd of body weight once a day for 5 days a week for three weeks. ROM was measured before and after treatment session on the day of treatment and the end of each week. Results Means and S.D of active dorsiflexion ROM after 3 weeks were 19.70±2.21for group A, 22.50±2.50 for group B and 16.10±2.80 for group C. ANOVA demonstrates that there was a significant difference in pre and post intervention ADFROM in all the three groups (P <0.05).No statistically significant difference was found between group A and B, but when they were compared with group C, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) for each group comparison Conclusion All groups in study showed increase in the extensibility of plantar flexors, resulting in increase in ADFROM. Both the cryotherapy and thermotherapy significantly improved ROM; however, there was no difference between two treatment conditions. Top Keywords Cryotherapy, Thermotherapy, Flexibility, ROM, Static Stretching. Top |