Abstract
Robertson VJ, Ward AR, Jung P. The effect of heat on tissue extensibility: a comparison of deep and superficial heating. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2005;86:819–25. Objective To compare the effects of deep heating (shortwave diathermy [SWD]) and superficial heating (hydrocollator packs) on tissue extensibility. Design A double-blind, repeated-measures study. Possible effects of sex and intervention order were controlled. Setting A clinical laboratory. Participants Twenty-four subjects with no neurologic or musculoskeletal pathologies affecting their lower limbs. Interventions Three intervention conditions: deep heating (SWD), superficial heating (hot packs), and no heating were applied in preallocated order to each subject at least 36 hours apart. Main outcome measures Ankle dorsiflexion in weight bearing was measured by using an inclinometer to ascertain changes in the extensibility of the calf muscles and associated soft tissues. Results Deep heating increased the range of ankle dorsiflexion by 1.8°±1.9°. The change in ankle dorsiflexion after superficial and no heating was 0.7°±1.5° and −0.1°±1.0°, respectively. Conclusions Deep heating, in the absence of stretching, increases tissue extensibility more than superficial heating or no heating. Superficial heating is more effective than no heating, but the difference was not statistically significant.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
