Date of Award

Spring 8-1-1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Athletic Training

First Advisor

Chris Ingersoll

Second Advisor

Mark Merrick

Third Advisor

Jeffrey Edwards

Abstract

Objective: Many studies have questionably measured skin temperature to assess the efficacy of cryotherapy. In addition, there is controversy owr the relationship between subcutaneous adipose thickness and intramuscular temperature. Thcret'ore. the twofold purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between skin and intramuscular temperature and to describe the relationships between muscle temperature, skin temperature, room temperature, body core temperature, and subcutaneous adipose thickness. Design and Setting: A multiple linear regression was used. The independent variables were skin temperature, body core temperature, subcutaneous adipose thickness, and room temperature. The dependent variable was intramuscular temperature. Subjects: Fifteen volunteers (age= 22.9 ± 1.53 ht=l69.16 ± 8.41 cm; wt= 69.79 ± 13.13 kg; anterior thigh skin fold= 21.19 ± 8.60mm) gave informed consent and completed a health questionnaire. Individuals with vascular disease, neurological problems, or thigh skin fold measurements greater than 40 mm were excluded. Measurements: Subjects' intramuscular temperature (2 cm + subcutaneous adipose layer), room temperature, and skin temperature were measured with a thermocouple thermometer (Columbus Instruments, lsotherrnex 16 Model 0109-003L) using 4 surface thermocouples (Type T - thermocouples, Columbus Instruments, Model TX-31) and one implanted intratissue thermocoup]e (Type T, diameter .41 mm; Columbus Instruments, Model TX-23-21 ). Body core temperature and anterior thigh skinfold were also measured. Pearson's product moment va]ues were determined for each predictor variable of intramuscular temperature during (skin temperature: r =- 0.463: skinfbld: r = 0.37J: time: r::;:,: -0.593; core temperature: r = 0.208; room temperature: r =- -0.474) m1d following application (skin temperature: r = 0. 705; skin fold: r::;:,: 0.272: Lime: r = 0.759: core temperature: r -0.046; room temperature: r = -0.206). Curve estimations were used to determine the equation of the line of best fit for each variable. A multiple regression equation (R2 =0. 759) was developed to predict intramuscular temperature during ice application. A separate equation (R2 = 0.810) was developed to predict muscle temperatures following ice application. Conclusions: During and after ice application, no single predictor adequately explained the change in intramuscular temperature. Clearly, the use of skin surface temperature independently to measure the efficacy of cryotherapy on underlying tissues is inadequate. Therefore, future research of cryotherapy should use direct measurement of intramuscular tissue or collect adequate data to use an equation which estimates intramuscular temperature.

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