Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Via the Peroneal Nerve Reduces Muscle Soreness Following Intermittent Exercise

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT02018211

Enrollment

Registered

2013-12-23

Start date

2012-12-31

Completion date

2013-03-31

Last updated

2015-06-26

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Keywords

delayed onset muscle soreness, muscle damage, muscle function, inflammation

Brief summary

Numerous techniques are reported to enhance recovery following intense exercise, however there is equivocal support for such claims. A novel technique of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) via the peroneal nerve has been shown to augment limb blood flow which could enhance recovery following exercise. The present study examined the effects of NMES, compared to graduated compression socks on muscle soreness, strength, and markers of muscle damage and inflammation following intense intermittent exercise.

Interventions

OTHERcontrol

passive recovery following exercise test

DEVICEgraduated compression socks

graduated compression socks worn after test exercise

DEVICEneuromuscular electrical stimulation device

neuromuscular electrical stimulation device worn after test exercise

Study design

Allocation

Intervention model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

MALE

Age

20 Years to 22 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* healthy males * currently playing intermittent sports (such as soccer, field hockey, rugby) * currently representing their respective sports at either university, county, national or international levels

Exclusion criteria

* unhealthy males * not currently playing intermittent sports (such as soccer, field hockey, rugby) * not currently representing their respective sports at either university, county, national or international levels * individuals indicating a history of cardiovascular, metabolic or haematological disorders * participants reporting a sedentary lifestyle of less than three 30-min physical activity sessions per week

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Perceived muscle soreness (PMS)	72hrs	perceived muscle soreness (PMS), often referred to as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
muscle strength	72hrs

Other

Measure	Time frame	Description
measurement of CK and LDH activity and IL-6, CRP and TBAR concentrations	72 hrs	markers of muscle damage and inflammation following intense intermittent exercise

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026