Surenkok, OzgurBalkisli, Berna CaglaYucel Karacan, YildizKendal, KubraAtici, EmineAydin, Gamze2026-02-152026-02-1520260932-05551439-123610.1055/a-2760-75522-s2.0-105028766963https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2760-7552https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14517/8773Balkisli, Berna Cagla/0000-0002-2559-9756;Purpose This study aimed to investigate the effects of cold spray and cold pack applications on the biomechanical properties, muscle strength, and activity of the quadriceps femoris muscle. Methods Fifty-three male participants aged 18 to 25 were included in this randomised controlled study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: cold spray (n=27) and cold pack (n=26). The cold spray group received a 10-second application to the quadriceps, whereas the cold pack group received a 5-minute application. Measurements included skin surface temperature, muscle mechanical properties (MyotonPRO), isometric muscle strength (Lafayette dynamometer), and muscle activity (surface EMG). These measurements were conducted at three time points: before the intervention (baseline), immediately after the application, and five minutes post-application. Results Participant characteristics were similar between groups (p>0.05). Both groups showed time-dependent changes in muscle properties. Myoton-F, -S, and -D increased following the application, while Myoton-R decreased. Strength increased only in the cold spray group (p<0.05). The mean EMG workload was higher at baseline in the cold spray group (p<0.05), but no time-related change was observed in either group. EMG onset time decreased over time in the cold pack group (p<0.05). Skin temperature dropped significantly in both groups after the application (p<0.05), with a greater and more prolonged effect in the cold spray group (p<0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest that both cold spray and cold pack can induce short-term changes in quadriceps muscle function by altering the muscle's mechanical properties. Cold spray appears to improve muscle strength, while cold pack may influence the timing of muscle activation.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessCryotherapyElectromyographyMuscle StrengthMuscle TonusQuadriceps MuscleStiffnessArticle