Effect of icing treatment on muscle reaction time and functional performance of a sprained ankle

[Objective] The purpose of this study was to determine whether icing treatment has an effect on muscle reaction time and functional performance of a sprained ankle. [Methods] Subjects were six persons (healthy group) and six persons who had an acute ankle sprain (patient group). Anterior talar translation and talar tilt of the six patient group were evaluated by the stress X-ray measure. Ice treatment was applied for 20 minutes. [Results] The following points were clarified : 1) Reaction times of peroneus longus (PL) and peroneus brevis (PB) for the sprained ankle group (SA) were significantly longer than those for the non-sprained ankle group (NA) (p<0.05). Length of time of standing on one leg with closed eyes for SA was significantly shorter than for NA (p<0.05). 2) After icing treatment, reaction time of PL for SA tended to be shorter. Furthermore, PB significantly decreased after icing treatment (p<0.05). Side-steps for SA were significantly increased after icing treatment (p<0.05). 3) Reaction times of PL and PB for NA significantly increased after icing treatment (p<0.05). Standing on one leg with closed eyes for NA significantly decreased after icing treatment (p<0.05). [Conclusion] It was shown that icing treatment of a sprained ankle leads to a shorter muscle reaction time and an increase in the number of side-steps. Therefore, it was concluded that icing treatment of a sprained ankle might be able to improve incapacitated neuromuscular function and functional performance by acute trauma.