1992 Student Writing Contest-1st Runner-up: A Comparison of Thermotherapy and Cryotherapy in Enhancing Supine, Extended-leg, Hip Flexion.

Eighteen healthy subjects (13 females and 5 males) were pretested and posttested under two treatment conditions in order to compare the effects of cryotherapy and thermotherapy on supine, extended-leg, hip flexion measurements. Cryotherapy treatments consisted of crushed ice bags secured to the posterior thigh for 20 minutes. On a separate day, thermotherapy treatment of moist heat pads were applied to the posterior thigh for 20 minutes. For pretest and posttest measurements, the subject's extended leg was taken to the end feel of passive hip flexion as maximum range of motion was assessed using a goniometer. Both cryotherapy and thermotherapy significantly improved immediate range of motion; however, there were no differences between the two treatment conditions. These results suggest that athletes wishing to obtain maximum range of motion immediately after treatment may select either ice or heat modalities. Individual conditions and preferences can be used to dictate treatment selection.