Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
Conditions
Keywords
Delayed onset muscle soreness, DOMS, Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, PNF, Cryotherapy, Eccentric exercise, Hamstrings, Blood lactate, Physical therapy, Pressure pain threshold, Muscle strength, Range of motion, Pain intensity
Brief summary
This randomized, double-blind, single-center pilot clinical trial evaluated three interventions for delayed onset muscle soreness in the hamstring muscles. Twenty-nine untrained adults were included. Delayed onset muscle soreness was induced using two eccentric hamstring exercises. Participants were then assigned to one of three groups: proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, local cryotherapy, or placebo consisting of water with sugar. The main outcome was pressure pain threshold in the hamstring muscles. Other outcomes included knee range of motion, hamstring strength, pain intensity, perceived exertion, and blood lactate levels. Measurements were taken before the eccentric exercise, 24 hours after exercise before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 48 hours after exercise.
Interventions
OTHERProprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
A contract-relax-antagonist-contract proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique was applied to the hamstring muscles. The protocol included isometric hamstring contraction, rest, quadriceps contraction, and passive movement into a deeper hamstring stretch. The protocol was repeated twice on each leg.
OTHERLocal Cryotherapy
Participants were placed in prone position and an ice pack was applied over the hamstring muscles for 20 minutes. A thin cloth was placed between the ice pack and the skin to avoid direct contact.
OTHERPlacebo: Water With Sugar
Participants consumed 200 mL of water with 5 g of dissolved sugar after the eccentric exercise protocol.
Sponsors
Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Participants and outcome assessors were masked to group allocation. Group assignment was concealed using opaque envelopes, and only the investigator responsible for administering the active intervention knew the allocated treatment.
Intervention model description
Participants were assigned to one of three parallel groups: proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, cryotherapy, or placebo. Delayed onset muscle soreness was induced through eccentric hamstring exercises before the assigned intervention.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Adults aged between 18 and 45 years. * Participants who did not usually perform physical exercise or whose exercise was not focused on the lower limbs. * Participants who had previously experienced delayed onset muscle soreness and were familiar with its effects.
Exclusion criteria
* Musculoskeletal injury of the lower limb. * Pregnancy. * Diabetes. * Cardiovascular problems. * History of cancer. * Autoimmune diseases, including Raynaud disease or rheumatoid arthritis. * Sensory disorders. * Skin disorders. * Skin conditions. * Peripheral venous or lymphatic vascular insufficiency.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Pressure Pain Threshold in the Hamstring Muscles | Baseline, 24 hours after eccentric exercise before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 48 hours after eccentric exercise | Pressure pain threshold was assessed using a pressure algometer over three points of maximum pain in the hamstring muscles. Three measurements were taken and the mean value was calculated. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Active Knee Range of Motion | Baseline, 24 hours after eccentric exercise before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 48 hours after eccentric exercise | Active knee flexion and extension range of motion were assessed using a manual goniometer. |
| Change in Hamstring Muscle Strength | Baseline, 24 hours after eccentric exercise before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 48 hours after eccentric exercise | Maximum hamstring strength was assessed using a handheld dynamometer. |
| Change in Pain Intensity | Baseline, 24 hours after eccentric exercise before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 48 hours after eccentric exercise | Pain intensity was assessed using the 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Scores range from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity and therefore a worse outcome. |
| Change in Blood Lactate Concentration | Before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 48 hours after exercise | Blood lactate concentration was measured using a Lactate Edge device. |
| Perceived Exertion After Eccentric Exercise | Immediately after eccentric exercise | Perceived exertion was assessed using the Modified Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale after completion of the eccentric exercise protocol. Scores range from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no exertion and 10 indicates maximal exertion. Higher scores indicate greater perceived exertion and therefore a worse outcome. |
Countries
Spain
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORSara Perpiña Martínez, PhD
Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca
Outcome results
None listed