Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Ice therapy: how good is the evidence?

D C Mac Auley1

  • 1Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Health Science University of Ulster, Northern Ireland. DC.Macauley@ulst.ac.uk

International Journal of Sports Medicine
|August 21, 2001
PubMed
Summary

For acute soft tissue injuries, repeated 10-minute ice applications are most effective. This method aids recovery by reducing muscle temperature by 10-15 degrees C while minimizing side effects.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same journal

Correction: Vigorous Sports Participation and Plasma Lipids in Lean Adolescents: ABCD Growth Study.

International journal of sports medicine·2026
Same journal

The impact of COVID-19 on soccer players' health: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

International journal of sports medicine·2026
Same journal

Epidemiology of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries in Collegiate Baseball Players.

International journal of sports medicine·2026
Same journal

Reply to Burtscher et al.

International journal of sports medicine·2026
Same journal

Author Reply to Ruedl et al.

International journal of sports medicine·2026
Same journal

Predictive Factors of Changes in Serum Irisin Concentration after Different Exercise.

International journal of sports medicine·2026

Area of Science:

  • Sports Medicine
  • Physiotherapy
  • Rehabilitation Science

Background:

  • Acute soft tissue injuries are common in sports and exercise.
  • Current clinical guidance on cryotherapy application (duration, frequency, program length) lacks specific evidence-based recommendations.
  • Effective cryotherapy is crucial for managing acute soft tissue injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review existing literature on cryotherapy for acute soft tissue injuries.
  • To provide evidence-based guidance on optimal cryotherapy application protocols.
  • To establish effective treatment parameters for ice application in soft tissue injury management.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search across major databases (Medline, Embase, SportDiscus, NSMI UK).
  • Keywords used: ice, injury, sport, exercise.
  • Analysis focused on identifying original research and evidence-based treatment parameters.

Main Results:

  • Muscle temperature reduction depends on application method, duration, initial temperature, and fat depth.
  • Melting iced water via a wet towel for repeated 10-minute intervals is most effective.
  • Target temperature reduction is 10-15 degrees C.
  • Repeated applications sustain lower muscle temperatures without skin damage.
  • Ice treatment can impair reflex activity and motor function for up to 30 minutes post-application.

Conclusions:

  • Ice application is effective for acute soft tissue injuries.
  • Optimal application involves repeated 10-minute intervals to maximize effectiveness and avoid side effects.
  • Careful application is needed to prevent potential further injury due to temporary impairment of motor function.

Related Experiment Videos