Abstract

The goal of the investigation was to assess neuromuscular excitability changes brought about by local cooling and warming procedures in healthy people divided into comparative groups A, B, C and D were tested for neuromuscular excitability changes. In each group, the subjects’ skin temperature was measured above the median nerve and the excitability of the flexor pollicis longus muscle stimulated indirectly via the median nerve was assessed using chronaxiemetry. Then the groups of subjects underwent respective procedures. In group A, the subjects received a 12-minute cooling procedure with gel packs at -10ºC. In group B, the subjects were applied a 2-minute cooling procedure using liquid nitrogen vapours at the temperature of –160ºC. In group C, microwave diathermy (2450 MHz) was applied to the subjects for 12 minutes. The subjects in group D received a 12-minute shortwave diathermy procedure (27 MHz). Skin temperature and chronaxie were measured again as soon as the procedures were complete and then the measurements were repeated for the third and last time 20 minutes later. Cooling procedures with gels at the temperature of -10ºC and liquid nitrogen vapours at the temperature of -160ºC as well as shortwave diathermy at 280 W inhibit neuromuscular excitability. This effect is maintained for at least 20 minutes following the procedure. Heating with microwave diathermy at 100 W does not reduce neuromuscular excitability.

Key words:

Cryotherapy, thermotherapy, Diathermy, Neuromuscular stimulation, neuromuscular excitability