Date of Award

Summer 8-1-2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Physical Education

First Advisor

J. Patrick Babington

Second Advisor

Jeffrey Edwards

Third Advisor

Marcus Stone

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects on the Hoffman reflex and motor response with an analgesic (Biofreeze®). Design: The study was a 2X6 design. The independent variables in this study were treatment and time. The dependent variables were the H-reflex (volts) and the M response (volts). Treatment was randomly assigned to control for the effects of order. Setting: This study took place in the Exercise Physiology Laboratory located in the Health and Human Performance Building at Indiana State University. Subjects: 14 volunteers who were physically active and had no known neurological problems. Measurements: Skin and room temperature were recorded with an YSI Precision 400 Thermometer (Yellow Springs Instrument Co., Inc., Yellow Springs, OH). Hoffman reflex was recorded using a biological data acquisition system (MPlO0 WSW, Biopac Systems, Inc., Santa Barbara, CA) while subjects sat in a semi-reclined chair, in which the knee was positioned at approximately 120 degrees. Conclusion: There was no effect of the analgesic (Biofreeze®) across time. A possible explanation for no inhibition would be the analgesic (Biofreeze®) did not penetrate the skin. A possible explanation for no facilitation would be there was not a large enough decrease in temperature that would stimulate the skin receptors.

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