Acute effects of cold and muscle vibration on maximal grip strength and muscle endurance in normal subjects

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the acute effects of 10 minutes cold application and 50Hz, 90 seconds vibration of forearm muscles on maximum grip strength and muscle endurance in apparently health y young adults. This within-subject factorial research study recruited eighty-nine subjects (49 males and 40 males) using a sample of convenience. Baseline maximum grip strength and endurance index were measured using a Jamar dynamometer. Cold and muscle vibration were applied within 48 hours interval to the forearm muscles of the subjects. Their grip strength and endurance index were measured; immediately, 5, and 10 minutes post-application of either stimuli. Data were analysed using independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance at 0.05 alpha. Results showed that neither vibration (P>0.05) nor cold (P>0.05) produced any significant effect on the maximum grip strength and the grip endurance at 5- and 10-minutes post application. The subjects however recorded significantly higher endurance index immediately post cold than they did immediately post vibration (P<0.05). We concluded that grip endurance was enhanced more by cold application than by muscle vibration. Cold rather than vibration may therefore be used to facilitate grip endurance during hand rehabilitation.