Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
Conditions
Keywords
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Sports Massage, Thai Massage, Plyometric Exercise, Recovery
Brief summary
This study investigated the effects of sports massage and modified traditional Thai massage on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and recovery following strenuous exercise in healthy, physically inactive young men. The study used a randomized, three-condition, three-period crossover design. Participants completed an exercise protocol designed to induce muscle soreness and subsequently received one of three recovery interventions: sports massage, modified traditional Thai massage, or passive recovery. Each participant underwent all three conditions in a randomized sequence, with a washout period between experimental sessions. The recovery interventions were administered approximately six hours after exercise. Muscle soreness, pressure pain threshold, flexibility, vertical jump performance, and perceived physical performance were assessed at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise. The study aimed to compare the effects of the two massage approaches with passive recovery on perceived muscle soreness, mechanical pain sensitivity, and functional recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage.
Interventions
PROCEDURESports Massage
A standardized 20-minute sports massage was administered to the lower extremities approximately six hours after the plyometric exercise protocol. The intervention included manual massage techniques applied to the major lower-extremity muscle groups, following a standardized treatment protocol.
PROCEDURETraditional Thai Massage
A standardized 20-minute modified traditional Thai massage protocol was administered to the lower extremities approximately six hours after the plyometric exercise protocol. The intervention incorporated Thai massage techniques adapted for the study, including manual pressure and assisted stretching techniques targeting the major lower-extremity muscle groups.
OTHERPassive Recovery
Participants rested quietly in the supine position for 20 minutes without receiving massage, stretching, or any other recovery intervention. The passive recovery session was conducted approximately six hours after the standardized plyometric exercise protocol.
Sponsors
Akdeniz University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
This study employed a randomized, three-condition, three-period crossover design. Participants were allocated to one of six balanced intervention sequences involving sports massage (SM), traditional Thai massage (TM), and passive recovery (PR). Each participant completed all three conditions in a different order, with an approximately one-week washout period between experimental periods. Standardized plyometric exercise was performed in each period, followed by the assigned recovery intervention approximately six hours later.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy male volunteers aged 18-30 years. * Physically inactive or sedentary individuals who did not regularly participate in structured exercise or sports training. * Ability and willingness to complete the exercise protocol, recovery interventions, and follow-up assessments. * Provision of written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Lower-extremity musculoskeletal injury within the preceding six months. * Regular participation in structured exercise or sports training. * Medical conditions or positive responses on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) indicating that participation in the exercise protocol could be unsafe. * Contraindications to massage or strenuous physical exercise.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline in Muscle Soreness at 24 and 48 Hours | Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period | Muscle soreness at rest was assessed using an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Measurements were obtained before the plyometric exercise protocol and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each of the three experimental periods. Changes from baseline were compared among sports massage, traditional Thai massage, and passive recovery conditions. Higher scores indicate greater perceived muscle soreness. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline in Pressure Pain Threshold of the Right Hamstrings at 24 and 48 Hours | Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. | Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured over the right hamstring muscle region using a pressure algometer. Pressure was gradually increased until the participant first reported pain. Two measurements were obtained approximately 30 seconds apart, and the lower value was retained for analysis. Assessments were performed at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. Higher PPT values indicate lower pressure pain sensitivity. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured over the \[anatomical region\] using a pressure algometer. Pressure was gradually increased until the participant first reported pain. Two measurements were obtained approximately 30 seconds apart, and the lower value was retained for analysis. PPT was expressed in kilograms per square centimeter (kg/cm²). Assessments were performed at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. Higher PPT values indicate lower pressure pain sensitivity. |
| Change From Baseline in Pressure Pain Threshold of the Left Hamstrings at 24 and 48 Hours | Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. | Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured over the left hamstring muscle region using a pressure algometer. Pressure was gradually increased until the participant first reported pain. Two measurements were obtained approximately 30 seconds apart, and the lower value was retained for analysis. Assessments were performed at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. Higher PPT values indicate lower pressure pain sensitivity. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured over the \[anatomical region\] using a pressure algometer. Pressure was gradually increased until the participant first reported pain. Two measurements were obtained approximately 30 seconds apart, and the lower value was retained for analysis. PPT was expressed in kilograms per square centimeter (kg/cm²). Assessments were performed at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. Higher PPT values indicate lower pressure pain sensitivity. |
| Change From Baseline in Pressure Pain Threshold of the Right Calf at 24 and 48 Hours | Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. | Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured over the right calf muscle region using a pressure algometer. Pressure was gradually increased until the participant first reported pain. Two measurements were obtained approximately 30 seconds apart, and the lower value was retained for analysis. Assessments were performed at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. Higher PPT values indicate lower pressure pain sensitivity. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured over the \[anatomical region\] using a pressure algometer. Pressure was gradually increased until the participant first reported pain. Two measurements were obtained approximately 30 seconds apart, and the lower value was retained for analysis. PPT was expressed in kilograms per square centimeter (kg/cm²). Assessments were performed at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. Higher PPT values indicate lower pressure pain sensitivity. |
| Change From Baseline in Pressure Pain Threshold of the Left Calf at 24 and 48 Hours | Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. | Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured over the left calf muscle region using a pressure algometer. Pressure was gradually increased until the participant first reported pain. Two measurements were obtained approximately 30 seconds apart, and the lower value was retained for analysis. Assessments were performed at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. Higher PPT values indicate lower pressure pain sensitivity. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured over the \[anatomical region\] using a pressure algometer. Pressure was gradually increased until the participant first reported pain. Two measurements were obtained approximately 30 seconds apart, and the lower value was retained for analysis. PPT was expressed in kilograms per square centimeter (kg/cm²). Assessments were performed at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. Higher PPT values indicate lower pressure pain sensitivity. |
| Change From Baseline in Sit-and-Reach Flexibility at 24 and 48 Hours | Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period | Flexibility was assessed using the Sit-and-Reach test, with results recorded in centimeters (cm). Participants performed three trials with their knees extended, and the best result was retained for analysis. Changes from baseline were evaluated at 24 and 48 hours after exercise for each recovery condition. Higher values indicate greater reach distance. |
| Change From Baseline in Hands-Free Vertical Jump Height at 24 and 48 Hours | Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period | Vertical jump performance was assessed using the Optojump system. Participants performed countermovement jumps with unrestricted arm movement (hands-free condition). Two valid attempts were performed, and the highest jump height was retained for analysis. Jump height was recorded in centimeters (cm). Measurements were obtained at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. Higher values indicate greater vertical jump performance. Kopyala |
| Change From Baseline in Hands-on-Hips Vertical Jump Height at 24 and 48 Hours | Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period | Vertical jump performance was assessed using the Optojump system. Participants performed countermovement jumps with their hands maintained on their hips throughout the movement to minimize the contribution of arm swing. Two valid attempts were performed, and the highest jump height was retained for analysis. Jump height was recorded in centimeters (cm). Measurements were obtained at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. Higher values indicate greater vertical jump performance. |
| Change From Baseline in Perceived Physical Performance at 24 and 48 Hours | Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period | Perceived physical performance was assessed immediately after the vertical jump tests using a participant-reported 10-point rating scale. Participants were asked to rate how they perceived their jumping performance, with scores ranging from 1 (very poor performance) to 10 (excellent performance). The assessment was repeated during the baseline, 24-hour, and 48-hour testing sessions in each experimental period. Higher scores indicate better perceived physical performance. Changes from baseline were compared among the sports massage, traditional Thai massage, and passive recovery conditions. |
| Change From Baseline in Pressure Pain Threshold of the Left Quadriceps at 24 and 48 Hours | Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. | Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured over the left quadriceps muscle region using a pressure algometer. Pressure was gradually increased until the participant first reported pain. Two measurements were obtained approximately 30 seconds apart, and the lower value was retained for analysis. Assessments were performed at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. Higher PPT values indicate lower pressure pain sensitivity. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured over the \[anatomical region\] using a pressure algometer. Pressure was gradually increased until the participant first reported pain. Two measurements were obtained approximately 30 seconds apart, and the lower value was retained for analysis. PPT was expressed in kilograms per square centimeter (kg/cm²). Assessments were performed at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. Higher PPT values indicate lower pressure pain sensitivity. |
| Change From Baseline in Pressure Pain Threshold of the Right Quadriceps at 24 and 48 Hours | Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. | Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured over the right quadriceps muscle region using a pressure algometer. Pressure was gradually increased until the participant first reported pain. Two measurements were obtained approximately 30 seconds apart, and the lower value was retained for analysis. Assessments were performed at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. Higher PPT values indicate lower pressure pain sensitivity. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured over the \[anatomical region\] using a pressure algometer. Pressure was gradually increased until the participant first reported pain. Two measurements were obtained approximately 30 seconds apart, and the lower value was retained for analysis. PPT was expressed in kilograms per square centimeter (kg/cm²). Assessments were performed at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period. Higher PPT values indicate lower pressure pain sensitivity. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORNihat Ayçeman, PhD
Akdeniz University
Outcome results
None listed