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Investigating the Effects of Different Soft Tissue Mobilizations on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Investigating the Effects of Different Soft Tissue Mobilizations on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and Performance in Recreational Athletes: A Single Blinded, Randomized Controlled Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04248764
Enrollment
36
Registered
2020-01-30
Start date
2021-02-10
Completion date
2023-03-14
Last updated
2023-03-14

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

Conditions

Muscle Soreness

Keywords

Recreational athlete, Soft Tissue Mobilization, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Brief summary

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is associated with the initiation of a new physical activity or a sudden increase in exercise volume and intensity. DOMS also occurs following eccentric exercises such as ballistic stretching, downhill running, weight training and plyometrics. DOMS might prevent performing sports and decreases the performance of professional or recreational athletes. Recently, different soft tissue mobilization applications (massage, foam roller) have been preferred by many athletes to prevent DOMS. However, there is no study comparing the effects of these techniques on DOMS. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of different soft tissue mobilization practices on DOMS and sportive performance in recreational athletes. In order to achieve this goal, a total of 36 recreational athletes will be included and will be allocated to three groups as foam roller group (n=12), massage group (n=12) and control group (n=12). Demographic data, thermal camera measurements, fatigue level assessments, and performance measurements will be performed. All measurements will be carried out four times as before the application, immediately after the application, after 24 hours and after 48 hours.

Detailed description

After being invited to the study, the demographic data of all participants who agreed to participate in the study will be recorded on a structured form. Participants will be randomly divided into three groups: Massage application group, Foam Roller application group and Control group. Afterwards, thermal imaging, perceived fatigue and pain level, blood lactate level measurements, and vertical jump assessments will be done for the quadriceps femoris muscle. Then, the fatigue protocol will be applied for the quadriceps femoris muscle and five-minute applications will be made according to the groups in which they are randomly separated. Evaluations made in the first applications will be made immediately after the applications, 24 hours and 48 hours later, as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th measurements. The assessor will not know which group the participants are from.

Interventions

Following the fatigue protocol, foam roller application will be applied to the quadriceps femoris muscle for five minutes in the prone position.

OTHERMassage application

Following the fatigue protocol, sports massage will be applied to the quadriceps femoris muscle for five minutes.

Sponsors

Izmir Katip Celebi University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Performing recreational sports at least 1 and at most 3 times a week.

Exclusion criteria

* Any musculoskeletal, neurological or other serious health problems experienced in the past six months * Not willing to participate in the study

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Tissue Temperature ChangeFour measurements will be performed as immediately before, immediately after, 24 hours and 48 hours later from fatigue protocol.Tissue temperature change will be assessed by using thermal camera imaging which is a non-invasive method. By determining the temperature differences in the tissues with the thermal camera, it will be determined in which regions the circulation increases or decreases.
Blood Lactate Level ChangeFour measurements will be performed as immediately before, immediately after, 24 hours and 48 hours later from fatigue protocol.Lactate Edge will be used and the lactate levels will be measured from a drop of blood.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Perceived Fatigue and Pain Level ChangesFour measurements will be performed as immediately before, immediately after, 24 hours and 48 hours later from fatigue protocol.By using a 0-100 millimeter visual analog scale (0: none, 100: maximum), the participants will determine the fatigue and pain levels. Higher scores indicate worse fatigue and pain.
Change in Lower Extremity Anaerobic PerformanceFour measurements will be performed as immediately before, immediately after, 24 hours and 48 hours later from fatigue protocol.Vertical jump test will be used to evaluate the lower extremity anaerobic performance.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

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