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Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Muscle Imbalances: Testing and Training Functional Eccentric Hamstring Strength in Athletic Populations
Published on: May 1, 2018
Functional performance following an ice bag application to the hamstrings
Jennifer Fischer1, Bonnie L Van Lunen, J David Branch
1Department of Exercise Science, Sports Medicine Research Laboratory, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
Abstract:
This study examined the immediate and short-term (20 minute) effects of 3- and 10-minute ice bag applications to the hamstrings on functional performance as measured by the cocontraction test, shuttle run, and single-leg vertical jump. Forty-two (25 women, 17 men) recreational or collegiate athletes who were free of injury in the lower extremity 6 months before testing and who did not suffer from allergy to cryotherapy were included. Time to completion was measured in seconds for the cocontraction and the shuttle run test. Single-leg vertical jump was measured on the Vertec (Sports Imports, Columbus, Ohio) in centimeters. The 10-minute ice bag application reduced immediate post-application vertical jump performance and increased immediate post and 20-minute post shuttle run time (p
