Delayed onset muscle soreness

Purpose: The objective of this study is to understand the effectiveness of foam rolling (FR) as a recovery tool after exercise-induced muscle damage, analyzing thigh girth, muscle soreness, range of motion (ROM), evoked and voluntary contractile properties, vertical jump, perceived pain while FR, and force placed on the foam roller. Methods: Twenty male subjects (Q3 yr of strength training experience) were randomly assigned into the control (n = 10) or FR (n = 10) group. All the subjects followed the same testing protocol. The subjects participated in five testing sessions: 1) orientation and one-repetition maximum back squat, 2) pretest measurements, 10 Â 10 squat protocol, and POST-0 (posttest 0) measurements, along with measurements at 3) POST-24, 4) POST-48, and 5) POST-72. The only between-group difference was that the FR group performed a 20-min FR exercise protocol at the end of each testing session (POST-0, POST-24, and POST-48). Results: FR substantially reduced muscle soreness at all time points while substantially improving ROM. FR negatively affected evoked contractile properties with the exception of half relaxation time and electromechanical delay (EMD), with FR substantially improving EMD. Voluntary contractile properties showed no substantial between-group differences for all measurements besides voluntary muscle activation and vertical jump, with FR substantially improving muscle activation at all time points and vertical jump at POST-48. When performing the five FR exercises, measurements of the subjects' force placed on the foam roller and perceived pain while FR ranged between 26 and 46 kg (32%–55% body weight) and 2.5 and 7.5 points, respectively. Conclusion: The most important findings of the present study were that FR was beneficial in attenuating muscle soreness while improving vertical jump height, muscle activation, and passive and dynamic ROM in comparison with control. FR negatively affected several evoked contractile properties of the muscle, except for half relaxation time and EMD, indicating that FR benefits are primarily accrued through neural responses and connective tissue. Key Words: SELF-MYOFASCIAL RELEASE, EXERCISE INDUCED MUSCLE DAMAGE, MUSCLE ACTIVATION, PERCEIVED PAIN, MUSCLE SORENESS, RECOVERY F oam rolling (FR) is commonly used as a recovery tool after a bout of physical activity, with advocates (3,15) claiming that FR corrects muscular imbalances, alleviates muscle soreness, relieves joint stress, improves neu-romuscular efficiency, and improves range of motion (ROM). FR has been implemented into several different rehabilitation and training programs to help promote soft tissue extensibil-ity, enhance joint ROM, and promote optimal skeletal muscle functioning (3,15,25). Although FR has been strongly advocated and is commonly used, there have only been three peer-reviewed research articles published to date. Pearcey et al. (31) examined the effects of FR on pressure pain threshold and dynamic performance measures after an intense exercise protocol, concluding that FR is an effective method in reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and associated performance decrements in sprint time, power, and dynamic strength/endurance. MacDonald et al. (25) investigated the effects of acute FR before physical activity and demonstrated that FR had no effects on neuromuscular performance , although significantly increasing ROM at 2 and 10 min post-FR by 10% and 8%, respectively. Curran et al. (15) determined that a higher density foam roller significantly increased soft tissue pressure and isolated the soft tissue contact area, potentially increasing the effects FR has on improving soft tissue health. Quantifiable scientific evidence to validate the use of foam rollers and understand the effectiveness of FR as a recovery tool from physical activity is rudimentary; thus, it would be prudent to further investigate its effectiveness and mechanisms. From the recreationally active to the elite athlete, many individuals commonly experience exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) resulting in DOMS after an intense bout of physical activity. EIMD is characterized by muscle soreness, muscle swelling, temporary muscle damage, an increase in intramuscular protein and passive muscle tension, and a decrease in muscular strength and ROM (10,36). In addition to these responses, EIMD can affect neuromuscular performance

Lack of staining for desmin in muscles in animal models of eccentric exercise has been suggested to reflect disruption of the desmin intermediate filament network and proposed to cause disruption of the myofibrillar apparatus and deterioration of muscle fibers. In a recent study, we examined muscle biopsies from persons who had performed different eccentric exercise protocols, which induced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). We were unable to verify that loss of staining for desmin was a feature of sore muscles. Nevertheless, we observed changes in the desmin cytoskeleton, but the meaning of the observations was not conclusive. In the present study, a high resolution immunocytochemical method was used to investigate the changes of desmin and actin in human muscles following a bout of eccentric exercise that lead to DOMS 2-3 days post-exercise. Biopsies were taken before exercise and 1 h and 2-3 and 7-8 days after exercise. Phalloidin, a ligand that labels filamentous actin, and a...

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of muscle damage on walking biomechanics at different speeds. Seventeen young women completed a muscle damage protocol of 5 × 15 maximal eccentric actions of the knee extensors and flexors of both legs at 60°/s. Lower body kinematics and swing-phase kinetics were assessed on a horizontal treadmill pre- and 48 h post-muscle damaging exercise at four walking speeds. Evaluated muscle damage indices included isometric torque, delayed onset muscle soreness, and serum creatine kinase. All muscle damage indices changed significantly after exercise, indicating muscle injury. Kinematic results indicated that post-exercise knee joint was significantly more flexed (31-260%) during stance-phase and knee range of motion was reduced at certain phases of the gait cycle at all speeds. Walking post-exercise at the two lower speeds revealed a more extended knee joint (3.1-3.6%) during the swing-phase, but no differences were found between pre- and post-exercise conditions at the two higher speeds. As speed increased, maximum dorsiflexion angle during stance-phase significantly decreased pre-exercise (5.7-11.8%), but remained unaltered post-exercise across all speeds (p > 0.05). Moreover, post-exercise maximum hip extension decreased (3.6-18.8%), pelvic tilt increased (5.5-10.6%), and tempo-spatial differences were found across all speeds (p < 0.05). Limited effects of muscle damage were observed regarding swing-phase kinetics. In conclusion, walking biomechanics following muscle damage are affected differently at relatively higher walking speeds, especially with respect to knee and ankle joint motion. The importance of speed in evaluating walking biomechanics following muscle damage is highlighted.

Muscle intolerance to exercise may result from different processes. Diagnosis involves confirming first the source of pain, then potential pathological myalgia. Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), commonly referred as tiredness, occurs frequently in sport. DOMS usually develops 12-48 h after intensive and/or unusual eccentric muscle action. Symptoms usually involve the quadriceps muscle group but may also affect the hamstring and triceps surae groups. The muscles are sensitive to palpation, contraction and passive stretch. Acidosis, muscle spasm and microlesions in both connective and muscle tissues may explain the symptoms. However, inflammation appears to be the most common explanation. Interestingly, there is strong evidence that the progression of the exercise-induced muscle injury proceeds no further in the absence of inflammation. Even though unpleasant, DOMS should not be considered as an indicator of muscle damage but, rather, a sign of the regenerative process, which is w...

To examine the effects of knee extensors muscle damage on walking and running biomechanics in healthy males. Muscle damage was caused by 60 (6x10) maximal eccentric knee flexions of both legs, selected in a random order, at an angular velocity of 1.05rad/s in 10 volunteers (mean age 20+/-1.0 years). Muscle damage indicators (creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), eccentric and isometric (110 degrees knee flexion) peak torque), pelvic three dimensional (3D) orientation, as well as hip, knee and ankle-joint flexion/extension angles during gait (walking at 1.2m/s and running at 2.8m/s) were assessed pre- and 48h post-eccentric exercise. All muscle damage indicators revealed significant changes post- compared to pre-exercise data (P<0.05) confirming that muscle damage did occur. Kinematic analysis revealed that muscle damage significantly decreased the knee-joint angle range of movement at the stance and swing phases during walking (P<0.05) and running (P<0.05), respectively. These changes were accompanied by corresponding increases of pelvic rotation (P<0.05) and decrease of pelvic tilt (P<0.05). The present data demonstrate that damage of knee extensors result in changes of treadmill walking and running kinematics at both knee joint and pelvis. The fact that these alterations occur at different gait phases could be attributed to the speed of movement and to a self-protection mechanism to prevent further damage.

This research focuses on determining the efficacy of sports massage (SM) and foam rolling (FR) to decrease Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) among users of recreational gyms. The goal of this study is to fit the physiotherapist's more efficient technique or techniques to scale back DOMS. SM and FR are two factors that help to illustrate the efficacy of DOMS scale back. Both therapies, SM and FR party, were handled with the selected samples for this analysis. Repeated measure ANOVA was used for testing results on the impact of SM on the range of motion (ROM). Results showed the effect of SM on pain meter supported on three occasions, and the effect of froth rolling on the pain meter on three times. Results suggest that there are not substantially different effects between therapies for all elbow flexion ranges of motion. Both therapies are often used to minimize DOMS due to growth over a 3-fold duration. The researcher has dressed up a couple of the guidelines and ideas requir...

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) refers to the skeletal muscle pain that follows the novel eccentric exercise. Although this condition is self-limiting, it can temporarily affect the function and interrupt training. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of Kinesio tape on pain intensity, range of motion, and function during delayed onset muscle soreness in the amateur hamstring muscles. Materials and Methods: This study is a clinical trial conducted on 32 untrained individuals with a Mean±SD age of 24.16±3.049 years. At first, the participants were assessed with an active knee extension range of motion, distance in triple hop test, pressure-induced pain, and overall pain before Kinesio tape intervention, and then Kinesio tape intervention was applied to the hamstrings from origin to insertion (proximal to distal) in a Y shape with a tension of approximately 30%. The study variables were evaluated again 24, 48, and 72 hours after the intervention (4 times totally) Results: Kinesio tape could significantly reduce pain intensity 24 hours and 48 hours after the intervention compared to before the intervention (P<0.05). Also, Kinesio tape intervention increases the range of motion of active knee extension in the first 24 hours compared to before the intervention (P=0.0.4). Besides, the effect of using Kinesio tape intervention on the variable of the triple hop test was significant 24 and 48 hours after the intervention compared to before the intervention (P<0.05). Kinesio tape increase in the threshold of compressive pain after the intervention was not significantly different from before the intervention (P>0.05). Conclusion: According to the present study results, the Kinesio tape possibly reduced DOMS-induced parameters like pain, range of motion limitations, and function, but it had no significant advantage in other DOMS-induced parameters like pressure pain threshold. Kinesio tape application before exercise or competition should be considered by exercise trainers and athletes. Future studies may evaluate different strategies or therapeutic applications to prevent and manage DOMS.

Objective: To investigate the effects of two dosages of pulsed ultrasound therapy (1MHz, spatial averaged peak intensity 0.8W/cm2, mark space ratio of 1: 4) on acute-stage delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).Design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.Setting: Laboratory of a university physiotherapy department.Participants: Forty-eight healthy volunteers (24 men, 24 women) with no arm pathology or pain at the time of the study.Interventions: Subjects were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: control, placebo (sham insonation), low-dosage pulsed ultrasound (mean dosage 172.8J), or high-dosage pulsed ultrasound (mean dosage 345.6J). DOMS was induced in the nondominant elbow flexors in a standardized fashion through repeated eccentric exercise until exhaustion.Main Outcome Measures: Elbow extension, flexion, and resting angles (universal goniometer), pain (visual analogue scale), mechanical pain threshold/tenderness (pressure algometer), and a McGill pain questionnaire. Measurements were taken before and after treatment each day except for the McGill pain questionnaire, which was completed at the end of the trial.Results: Significant differences were seen between groups in relation to range of flexion (p = .0032), with the control group losing least range of flexion. There were no other significant differences between the groups.Conclusion: No convincing evidence was found to support the use of pulsed ultrasound therapy in the management of DOMS at the parameters discussed here.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) versus soccer match on heart rate (HR), muscle damage, redox status, blood leukocytes and neuromuscular function throughout 72 h recovery. Sixteen male soccer players (21.3 ± 1.1 years; 175.0 ± 6.0 cm; 70.7 ± 6.3 kg) completed LIST and performed a soccer match separated by 2 weeks and data were collected before, 30 min, 24, 48 and 72 h after LIST and match. HR, plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, myoglobin (Mb), uric acid (UA), protein sulfhydryls (–SH), malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, total antioxidant status (TAS), blood leukocyte counts, delayed onset muscle soreness, 20 m sprint and jump performances, and maximal isokinetic knee extension and flexion were analyzed. HR after LIST was significantly lower than after the match. Post-match TAS was lower and UA was higher than after LIST. Thirty minutes and 24 h after soccer MDA was higher and –SH was lower than after LIST (P < 0.05). LIST and soccer match induced elevation in total leukocytes and a reduction in lymphocytes at 30 min. This reduction in blood lymphocytes 30 min after match was lower than after LIST. In conclusion, the impact of both exercises did not differ regarding the observed muscle damage markers and some neuromuscular parameters, although soccer requires higher cardiac demand and induced higher changes on redox status, adenine nucleotide metabolism and on lymphocyte counts than LIST, which should be taken into account when using LIST to simulate a match to study these type of physiological and biochemical-related endpoints.